Irreversible nanoscale morphology transformation of an Fe film on Mo(1 1 0) induced by a magnetic STM tip

STM tip-induced surface roughening is reported for a 6 إ Fe film grown on vicinal Mo(1 1 0) at 760 ± 15 K. Using a STM tip of the antiferromagnetic alloy MnNi and tunneling parameters of 0.1 nA and 70 mV, the film morphology was completely transformed over a period of 1 h at room temperature. The results indicate that there is a strong promotion of surface diffusion and interlayer mass transport by the local electric field between the tip and sample and/or a magnetic interaction between the tip and the film. The strain state of the film plays a part in the propagation of this transformation across the scanned area.