Bulk-surface vacancy exchange on Pt(111)

The atomic exchange between the bulk and (111) surface of platinum (Pt) was investigated. The low energy electron microscopy (LEEM) was used for the study. It was observed that with the increase and decrease of temperature, the area of two dimensional surface islands increased and decreased, respectively, creating thermal bulk vacancies at the surface. It was also observed that the surface-bulk exchange was quantitatively consistent with the creation of thermal Pt vacancies, when the temperature was changed.