The dynamics of the reconstruction of the Cu(110) surface induced by oxygen chemisorption was studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy. The nucleation and growth of the Cu(110)-(2 x 1)O reconstructed phase showed up as ‘‘added rows’’ of Cu-O atoms which grow preferentially in the [001] direction. The Cu atoms were supplied by diffusion from terrace edges.

Surface Reconstruction of Cu(110) Induced by Oxygen Chemisorptions. F.Jensen, F.Besenbacher, E.Laegsgaard, I.Stensgaard: Physical Review B, 1990, 41, 10233-6