Clusters of interstitial carbon atoms near the graphite surface as a possible origin of dome-like features observed by STM

TL;DR

This paper uses molecular dynamics simulations to show that interstitial carbon atom clusters near graphite surfaces can create dome-like features observed in STM images, suggesting a possible origin for these surface hillocks.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that interstitial carbon clusters can form dome-like features on graphite surfaces, linking atomic-scale simulations to experimental STM observations.

Findings

Interstitial clusters form near graphite surfaces.

Clusters produce dome-like surface features.

Features may explain STM-observed hillocks.

Abstract

Formation of clusters of interstitial carbon atoms between the surface and second atomic layers of graphite is demonstrated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. It is shown that interstitial clusters result in the dome-like surface features that may be associated with some of the hillocks observed by STM on the irradiated graphite surface.