Abstract

We have developed a novel technique to study surface diffusion of adsorbed atoms or molecules on substrates. By using laser-induced thermal desorption with two interfering laser pulses overlapping on the Ni(111) surface covered by a monolayer of CO, a 2-D surface grating of CO was formed. The optical second harmonic generation diffracted from the grating was then used to follow the evolution and disappearance of this monolayer grating as the CO molecules diffuse on the surface. The method should allow us to measure the anisotropy of the surface diffusion process. Experimental details and results are presented.

© 1988 Optical Society of America