Abstract
We investigate the time evolution of an initial step profile separating a bare substrate region from the rest of the compressively strained adsorbate layer near a commensurate to incommensurate transition. The rate of profile evolution as a function of the mismatch, coverage, and the strength of the substrate potential are determined by Brownian molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the results are qualitatively similar to those observed for the Pb/Si(111) system. The anomalously fast time evolution and sharpness of the non-equilibrium profile can be understood through the domain wall creation at the boundary and its subsequent diffusion into the interior of the adsorbate layer.
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Acknowledgments
We acknowledge helpful discussions with M. C. Tringides, M. S. Altman C. Z. Wang, T. Ala-Nissila, and C. Zdenek. E.G. was supported by Fundação de Amparoà à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo—FAPESP (Grant no. 07/08492-9) and in part by computer facilities from Centro Nacional de Processamento de Alto Desempenho—CENAPAD-SP.
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Granato, E., Ying, S.C. Evolution of Non-equilibrium Profile in Adsorbate Layer Under Compressive Strain. Tribol Lett 48, 83–88 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-012-9950-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-012-9950-7