Epitaxial growth and strain-directed superstructure formation in ultrathin Pb films on Au(1 1 1)

Key Points

• Strain-directed superstructure formation occurs in ultrathin lead films on a gold substrate, enhancing surface morphology.
• Key evidence shows that epitaxial growth yields distinct patterns in lead films, resulting in notable structural changes.
• Analysis involved examining the ultrathin films through advanced surface characterization techniques, clarifying growth mechanisms.
• These findings highlight the potential for utilizing strain to control film properties on metallic surfaces.