What determines the structures formed by oxygen at low index surfaces of copper?

This article reviews structural details from tensor LEED analyses for three oxygen on copper surfaces, specifically those designated Cu(110)-(2x1)-O, Cu(110)-c(6x2)-O and Cu(100)-(2√2x√2)R45 °-O. Certain common features are identified and discussed. It appears that these particular structures receive some stability from being able to fit O---Cu---O building blocks, of the sort needed to construct bulk Cu₂O, on to the Cu substrates. Each O atom maintains a four-coordinate status, while simultaneously allowing reasonable O---Cu bond lengths. Comparisons are made with other related systems, namely O at Ni and N at Cu surfaces.