STM studies of the reconstructed Au(1 1 1) thin-film at elevated temperatures

High temperature scanning tunneling microscope (HT-STM) was used to investigate a reconstructed Au(1 1 1) film evaporated on mica. The experiment was carried out at elevated temperatures in the range of 300-500 K. A herringbone reconstruction was observed at a wide range of temperatures. However, at the highest temperatures studied a break down of the reconstruction long range order was noticed. Finally, the presence of a triangular-like reconstruction was reported. Changes in the reconstruction were explained in terms of the change in surface stress arising as a result of the tension at the gold-mica interface.