Due to its famous 22 x √3 reconstruction, the Au(111) surface could be considered as an ideal substrate to grow nanostructured arrays of metallic clusters. A complete investigation of the interaction between this reconstruction and the close-packed steps of the Au(111) surface was reported. Scanning tunnelling microscopy experiments clearly demonstrated that the behaviour of the reconstruction in the vicinity of steps depended drastically upon the step microstructure. This result, of particular interest for the managing of new nanostructured substrates, was interpreted in terms of the relative stability of both types of step.

Interaction between Steps and Reconstruction on Au(111). V.Repain, J.M.Berroir, S.Rousset, J.Lecoeur: Europhysics Letters, 1999, 47[4], 435-41