Adatom diffusion on the reconstructed (23 x √3)-Au(111) surface was studied theoretically on the basis of the many-body glue potential. It was demonstrated that the reconstructed surface was strongly anisotropic with regard to adatom diffusion. Local strain enhanced adatom diffusion, and led to diffusion barriers which depended upon direction and position.

Local Strain-Induced Anisotropic Diffusion on the (23 x √3)-Au(111) Surface. Y.B.Liu, D.Y.Sun, X.G.Gong: Surface Science, 2002, 498[3], 337-42