Dynamics of a monolayer of nitrogen physisorbed on graphite

The dynamics of a crystalline monolayer of molecular nitrogen physisorbed on the basal plane of graphite, which was assumed to be rigid, has been studied by means of lattice and molecular dynamics. The study focusses mainly on the registered solid in which the centres of mass adopt the √3 × √3 R30° structure, but some results are also reported for denser monlayers, including one where the centre-of-mass lattice is non-triangular. Harmonic dispersion curves are reported for two models of the N₂-N₂ interaction combined with Steele's representation of the molecule-surface interaction. The one-phonon density of states is given for one of the models. Molecular dynamics results for the same model at two temperatures, 5 and 17 K, are analysed in terms of the dynamical structure factor, and one-phonon approximation to it, and the out-of-plane motions are treated in a manner similar to the one-phonon approximation. In-plane and out-of-plane motions are largely decoupled in all cases studied, and the in-plane motions show evidence of marked anharmonicity. The out-of-plane motions appear to exhibit Fermi-Pasta-Ulam type recurrences, although this is not analysed in detail.