and the role of surface stress

Using scanning tunneling microscopy and low energy electron diVraction, we report on the long range spatial self-organization of four Au(111) vicinal surfaces. It is shown that the atomic structure of steps strongly aVects the long range ordered morphology: periods on surfaces misoriented towards the [21:1:] azimuthal direction are about 100 Å, whereas quasi-periods are about 2000 A ̊ when surfaces are misoriented towards the opposite azimuth. The stable structures are explained in terms of stress relief induced at the facet edges. © 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved