Oscillatory relaxation of the Ag(110) surface

Abstract
The relaxation of the Ag(110) surface was studied by high-energy ion scattering. We find the first-layer spacing contracted by (7.8±2.5)% and the second-layer spacing increased by (4.3±2.5)%. The sensitivity of these results to assumptions of surface vibrations is explored. It is shown that the nearest-neighbor spacing at the surface (i.e., the spacing between the first and third layers) is contracted by (3.5±0.5)%, and this result is almost independent of the surface Debye temperature. The results are consistent with the body of data indicating large, multilayer relaxation in (110)fcc surfaces.