A study was made, of the diffusion of mesoscopic objects on surfaces, by using time re-scaling Monte Carlo algorithms. It was shown that, under the effect of very small forces (0.01 to 0.03eV per lattice constant), these nano-structures attained high velocities. Lengthy displacements were also observed. It was found that the main mechanism which was involved in these displacements was a rapid movement of particles at the cluster perimeter. Thus, in the case of Au at room temperature, the Au atoms moved very quickly along the cluster periphery. The application of a small driving force then gave rise to displacement of the object as a whole.

L.Bitar, P.A.Serena, P.García-Mochales, N.García, V.T.Binh: Surface Science, 1995, 339, 221-32