Vladimir CERCHEZ
Monoatomic halogen films on metal surfaces reveal rich variety of surface phenomena : structural phase transitions, surface reconstructions, and modifications of electronic properties at the surface. Their study is of great interest, both from fundamental point of view, as model systems for elucidating various physical phenomena, and for applications. The latter is mostly related to the important role of halogen-metal interaction in heterogeneous catalysis and to specific electronic and optical properties of metal halides.
In this talk we present our recent results on Scanning Tunneling Microscopy/Spectroscopy (STM/STS) and DFT study of surface structures formed on the (111) faces of silver, gold and copper under molecular chlorine action. We will report on the observation of unusual one-dimensional structures (atomic chains) formed by chlorine atoms for the low surface coverage. Particularly interesting results were obtained for chlorine adsorption on Au(111) surface where we observed self-organization of Cl atomic chains into the superstructure of nano pores. These nano pores can be considered as quantum corrals for the electrons of the substrate, a hypothesis which is supported by direct STS measurements. Specific spectroscopic properties of these nano pores, which cannot be described by simple “particle in a box” model, will be discussed.