Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We identify a unified thickness criterion for surface reconstruction in ultrathin metal sheets. The critical thickness is governed by the change in surface atomic density upon reconstruction: thinning always favors structural changes that increase this density. Thus, thinning suppresses the (1x2) reconstruction of 5d noble metal (110) sheets but promotes the quasi-hexagonal reconstruction of 4d noble metal (001) sheets. Density functional calculations validate these trends and show only minor corrections from surface stress and quantum-oscillation effects.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Yang, Jinyuan, Zhong, Xiaoliang
Institution: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7202279822
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