Interplay between adsorbate-induced reconstruction and local strain : Formation of phases on the Cu(110)-(2×1):O surface

We present an STM study on the interplay between adsorbate-induced reconstruction and local strain on the oxygen adsorbed Cu(110) surface. Thermal annealing of the surface resulted in surface terrace ripening revealing larger terraces, uniformly covered by the $(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)\text{-O}$ reconstructed phase, separated by step bunches. The largest terrace was found to be partially splitted by emerging dislocations inducing strong inhomogeneous strain in their close vicinity. This extra strain caused local conversion of the dominating $(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)\text{-O}$ phase into oxygen chemisorbed phases drastically different from the dominating phase. A meaningful correlation between lateral evolution of the extra strain and structure of these phases has been found. The symmetry of the discovered phases has been determined and their structural models have been elaborated.