X-ray reflectivity studies of the surface structure of liquid metals

O. M. Magnussen, M. J. Regan, E. H. Kawamoto, B. M. Ocko, P. S. Pershan, N. Maskil, M. Deutsch, S. Lee, K. Penanen, L. E. Berman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Extensive theoretical predictions of atomic layering at the surfaces of liquid metals have remained unconfirmed due to the limited range of wave vector transfer qz that has been previously measured. We report here on X-ray reflectivity studies from the surfaces of liquid mercury to qz ≳ 2.8 Å-1, and gallium to qz 3.0 ≳ Å-1, that show peaks which clearly demonstrate atomic layering with spacing on the order of the atomic diameter. The exponential decay of layer penetration into the bulk for Ga (6.5 Å) is larger than for Hg (3-3.5 Å). The prominent features of the layering remain unchanged under self-assembled monolayers of thiols. The Ga layering shows an unexpected strong temperature dependence. Differences between the reflectivity from Ga and Hg at small qz indicate fundamental differences in the surface structure for these two liquid metals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)257-260
Number of pages4
JournalPhysica B: Condensed Matter
Volume221
Issue number1-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Apr 1996

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work has been supported by grants from the US Department of Energy, DE-FG02-88-ER45379 and the National Science Foundation, DMR-94-00396 and DMR-95-23440. Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by DOE Contract No. DE-ACO2-76CH00016. MD acknowledges support from the Bar-Ilan Research Authority.

Funding

This work has been supported by grants from the US Department of Energy, DE-FG02-88-ER45379 and the National Science Foundation, DMR-94-00396 and DMR-95-23440. Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by DOE Contract No. DE-ACO2-76CH00016. MD acknowledges support from the Bar-Ilan Research Authority.

FundersFunder number
Bar-Ilan Research Authority
US Department of EnergyDE-FG02-88-ER45379
National Science FoundationDMR-94-00396, DMR-95-23440
U.S. Department of Energy

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