| AVS 57th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Surface Science | Monday Sessions |
| Session SS2-MoA |
| Session: | Stress and Bonding Energetics in Nucleation and Growth |
| Presenter: | H. Yildirim, University of Central Florida |
| Authors: | T.S. Rahman, University of Central Florida H. Yildirim, University of Central Florida |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
While it is well known that lattice strain has an effect on adatom diffusion barriers, its material specificity has not yet been explored. In a comparative study based on density functional theory, we find that self diffusion barriers for Pd(100) terraces and step edges are not affected by tensile strain (up to 5%) as much as their counterparts on Ag(100) and Cu(100). This difference is particularly significant for the step edge barriers (Ehrlich-Schwoebel) which for the cases of the Ag and Cu surfaces may be reduced to zero (or become negative) under strain but remain positive for the Pd surface. In other words, growth modes on Pd surfaces are less susceptible to changes in strain , as compared to Ag and Cu surfaces. We trace these differences to local geometric response and characteristics in the electronic structure. In particular we argue that strain is less effective in changing diffusion barriers on transition metal surfaces than on the coinage metal surfaces.