The “clock” reconstruction of the Ni(100)(2 x 2)p4g-N system was shown to be removed by potassium adsorption using surface X-ray diffraction measurements. The removal of the reconstruction was discussed in the framework of a simple model of induced surface stresses.

Potassium-Induced Removal of the Ni(100)(2 x 2)p4g-N Reconstruction Determined by Surface X-Ray Diffraction. E.Dudzik, A.G.Norris, R.McGrath, G.Charlton, G.Thornton, B.Murphy, T.S.Turner, D.Norman: Physical Review B, 1998, 58, 12659-62