The system K/Au(111): adsorption and surface restructuring

Abstract The interaction of the reconstructed Au(111) surface with adsorbed K atoms was analyzed by scanning tunneling microscopy and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). For K coverages between ∼ 0.1 and 0.33 monolayers (ML) the periodicity of the Au(111) Chevron reconstruction decreases with coverage. The K adatoms form a hexagonal (√3 × √3)R30° overlayer on the reconstructed substrate at θ K ≈ 0.33 ML. For higher K coverages islands of a K-induced reconstruction are formed. The Au(111) reconstruction is completely lifted at ∼ 0.5 ML K, whereby a (2 × 2) LEED pattern is observed.