The Ag(1 1 0) thermal disordering mechanism studied by low-energy ion scattering

The evolution of the structure and the dynamics of Ag(1 1 0) in the temperature range between 300 and 900 K is investigated by low-energy ion scattering using surface blocking mode and neutral impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy. The data collected along the 〈0 0 1〉, 〈1 1̄ 0〉 and 〈1 1̄ 2〉 azimuthal directions are fitted within a two atoms scattering model showing that anisotropic disorder develops at and above room temperature. It consists of 〈1 1̄ 0〉 rows or segments of them which remain mainly intact in the considered temperature range. The enhancement of the vibrational amplitude of lattice atoms is also studied and the correlation between defect proliferation and the onset of anharmonicity is pointed out.