It was shown, by means of low-energy electron diffraction, that the (100) surface, which had a distorted face-centered cubic structure, tended to reconstruct. The deconstruction process was studied by using low-energy electron diffractometry. It was found that deconstruction occurred reversibly, at temperatures of between 345 and 390K, via domain-wall melting. It was concluded that at least one sp metal surface reconstructed without electronic or mechanical stimulation; that is, without alkali adsorption or external stress. The structure of the reconstructed layer was different from the known reconstruction, in that it was a nearly quadratic lattice. The deviations from reconstruction on other metal surfaces were suggested to be related to specific In properties (lattice distortion, contraction upon heating), which might aid reconstruction. Overall, the results provided evidence that reconstruction was not limited to d metals.

N.Georgiev, A.Pavlovska, E.Bauer: Physical Review Letters, 1995, 75[3], 481-4