The goal of this program is to develop a microscopic description of metal surface phase behavior, especially at elevated temperatures where the role of fluctuations is expected to be important. By means of high-resolution x-ray scattering, the researchers will investigate roughening, metal facetting and surface-melting transformations of both reconstructed and unreconstructed surfaces. In addition the two-dimensional phase transformations associated with reconstructions will be investigated. The program will contribute to a detailed, microscopic understanding of the statistical physics of real metal surfaces. In particular, it will contribute to our understanding of the morphology of metal surfaces versus temperatures and to our understanding of the thermal behavior of metal equilibrium crystal shapes.
