Mobility of Sn atoms and clusters on Cu (111) surfaces and Cu2Sn surface alloys

This numerical study investigates the interaction of individual Sn atoms and of two-dimensional Sn clusters with Cu semi-infinite crystals terminating with a (111) surface or a Cu2Sn surface alloy. It is found that Sn atoms interact more favorably with the Cu(111) surface. In the case of a surface patterned with both Cu(111) and Cu2Sn domains, Sn atoms segregate on the former and are apparently repelled by the latter. Sn clusters deposited on the patterned surface can instead undergo fragmentation or apparent displacement processes.