Using low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy/scanning tunnelling spectroscopy and in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction, the surface structure of deposited Au on Pb film was investigated. two types of moiré pattern were observed: the first was formed by Au2Pb with Pb(111) (√3 x √3) reconstruction (Pb-√3) with an average period of 2.4nm; the second was formed by AuPb2 with a Pb-√3 layer with an average period of 5.8nm. Such a surface structure changed the boundary condition of electrons confined in the Pb film. Moreover, using the structural model proposed, it consumed three monolayers of Pb and reduced the film thickness. These results explained well the phase shift in the oscillation of physical properties of the Pb film.

A Study of the Surface Structure of Deposited Au on Pb Film. Y.Qi, W.Yang, X.Ma, S.Ji, Y.Fu, Y.Zhang, J.F.Jia, Q.K.Xue: Journal of Physics - Condensed Matter, 2007, 19[13], 136005 (6pp)