Effect of quantum confinement of surface electrons on an atomic motion on nanoislands

TL;DR

This paper investigates how quantum confinement of surface electrons influences atomic motion and growth processes on nanoislands, revealing effects like empty zones and adatom orbits through computational simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a combined ab initio and kinetic Monte Carlo approach to study quantum effects on surface atom dynamics at low temperatures.

Findings

Quantum confinement affects adatom motion on nanoislands.

Formation of empty zones and adatom orbits observed.

Growth process is significantly altered by quantum effects.

Abstract

Ab initio calculations and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the quantum confinement of surface electrons to nanoislands can significantly affect the growth process at low temperatures. Formation of empty zones and orbits of an adatom motion is demonstrated for Cu nanoislands on Cu(111).