Surface melting of Ni(110)

Abstract

Disordering and melting of the surface of Ni(110) are investigated using molecular-dynamics simulations, in which the embedded-atom theory is used to describe the energetics and interatomic interactions. The surface region disorders at temperatures as low as 1450 K via the generation of vacancies accompanied by the formation of an adlayer. The development of a quasiliquid region exhibiting liquidlike energetic, structural, and transport properties, and whose thickness increases as the temperature approaches the melting point, is observed. It is concluded that the premelting of the surface occurs at T≳1700 K.