Surface diffusion of lithium on (011) face of tungsten

The surface diffusion of lithium on the tungsten (011) plane is studied by a method based on the work function measurements. The surface diffusion coefficients and the activation energies are determined for lithium coverages ranging from 0.025 to several monolayers. In the submonolayer coverage range, the surface diffusion parameters undergo strong non-monotonous changes correlated to the phase transitions in the lithium film. The diffusion of lithium from a multilayer initial coating results, depending on experimental conditions, in the spreading of a monolayer or a double-layer. The lithium multilayer step, deposited on a preadsorbed continuous double-layer film, contracts at T = 330–375 K and spreads at T>420 K.