Anomalous electron energy-loss spectra of Ni(430) and a disordering of atomic steps

Abstract
The authors present energy-loss spectra (ELS) in the range 0-20 eV taken as a function of temperature (90-800 K) and primary energy (100-400 eV) for a Ni(430), or (7/2-(110)*1/2-(100)), surface. A strong primary-energy dependence of ELS and pronounced differences within the ELS of the low-energy electron diffraction beams were observed. These characteristics arise from the presence of ordered atomic steps on the surface, as shown by a model calculation. They also observed temperature-dependent variations of the ELS, and interpreted them as being induced by a structural transition of the surface.