Diffusion en surface de l'argent sur les plans (001), (111), (110) et des surfaces vicinales du cuivre

The diffusion coefficients of silver on singular and vicinal surfaces of copper have been measured using an oxidation method to determine the concentration profiles. The diffusion was carried out under ultra high vacuum at low temperature (250 to 500 °C) with a low concentration of the diffusing species (less than 0.5 monolayers). Comparison of the results with the terrace-ledge-kink model shows that the diffusion occurs along the ledges and also explains the diffusion on the vicinal surfaces. The differences between this model and the diffusion observed on the singular surfaces are explained by the presence of separated ledge loops on these surfaces.