Phase separation of a model alloy mixture C-60-C-70 on Cu(111) surface

Abstract

Phase separation of a C-60-C-70 binary mixture at 1:1 composition on Cu(lll) surface was studied after quenching from a 2D fluid temperature. Because of the shape difference, C-70 molecules were imaged differently from C-60 in STM images. Highly non-linear and irreversible phenomena due to late stage growth were observed, revealing a time dependent order parameter. The correlation function and its 2D Fourier transform were calculated for annealing times at 400 degrees C. Time dependence of the structure factor was calculated.