Atomic-scale sensor for charge- and atomic-lattice-dynamics on surfaces

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel atomic-scale sensor that combines high spatial and temporal resolution to study surface atom dynamics, revealing how surface atoms reorganize under radio frequency charging.

Contribution

The work presents a new method using nano-fabricated argon islands as sensors to observe atomic surface dynamics with nanosecond resolution.

Findings

Revealed surface atom reorganization due to RF charging

Developed a sensor with atomic spatial and nanosecond temporal resolution

Demonstrated real-time surface atom dynamics measurement

Abstract

We present here a powerful method providing simultaneous atomic spatial and nanosecond temporal resolution for investigating dynamics and structure on the atomic scale, in general. We reveal the dynamic reorganization of surface (ad)atoms induced by radio frequency alternating charging and decharging of a metal. Our method utilizes taylor-made nano-fabricated two-dimensional islands of physisorbed argon atoms, acting as motion sensors, probed by a radio frequency low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope.