Adsorption of Nd on the Mo(1 1 0) surface

The adsorption of Nd on the Mo(1 1 0) surface has been studied by low energy electron diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy. It has been found that at low coverages Nd adatoms form a rich amount of dilute (n × 2) commensurate structures, which can be explained as forming zigzag chains oriented along the [1 1 0] direction. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the formation of the zigzag chain structures is initiated by the indirect lateral interaction between Nd adatoms.