The diffusion dynamics of small two-dimensional atomic clusters Cux (1 ≤ x ≤8) on Cu(111) surface were studied using molecular dynamics simulations and a modified analytical embedded-atom method at 200 to 800K. The cluster size and temperature dependences of the diffusion coefficients and migration energies were determined. The simulations showed that the diffusion migration energy of the Cu7 cluster was the highest, and that the pre-factor for the Cu7 cluster was almost 3 orders of magnitude larger than that for single-atom diffusion. This conclusion was consistent with the experimental results for similar metals. The dependence of cluster diffusion upon film growth was also considered.

Diffusion Dynamics of Cux Cluster on Cu(111) Surface. J.Tang, M.Xu, X.Li, W.Long: Chinese Journal of Chemical Physics, 2008, 21[1], 27-31