Influence of oxygen dissolution history on reconstruction behavior of a stepped metal surface

We have observed that the reconstruction dynamics for stepped Ni(9 7 7) are influenced by the oxygen dissolution history of the crystal. Using a complementary approach incorporating both real- and reciprocal-space techniques, it is found that the upper end of the thermal range over which this stepped metal surface transforms from single to double steps increases with selvedge or sub-surface oxygen concentration. These results enhance our understanding of how adsorbate dissolution, and hence oxygen exposure history, modify energetic pathways for metallic oxidation.