Surface reconstruction: A physical realization of two-dimensional Ising and XY-models

Abstract

The reconstruction transitions on certain clean metal surfaces are shown to be isomorphous with two-dimensional models of phase transitions. Specifically, the Pt, Ir, and Au(110) transitions correspond to the 2d-Ising model, the W(100) transition to the 2d-XY model with cubic anisotropy. The Mo (100) reconstruction is described in terms of the Kosterlitz-Thouless picture of the 2d-XY model. Experiments (LEED or He diffraction) are suggested to check theories of 2d systems. © 1979.