Quantum effects in surface diffusion and scattering

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• Eliza McIntosh, SMF Group, Cavendish Laboratory
• Thursday 25 October 2012, 16:00-17:00
• Mott Seminar Room, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Stephen Walley.

Quantum effects are expected in the dynamics of light adsorbates at surfaces, however they present a formidable challenge to experimentalists. We describe two recent studies demonstrating quantum effects in surface scattering and diffusion measured using the helium Spin-Echo technique, which allows resolution of atomic scale motion on pico- to nano-second timescales. We first consider the absorption and diffusion of hydrogen on the Ru(0001) surface where we observe a transition from classical behaviour to a deep tunnelling regime at the relatively high temperature of 140 K. Path Integral Molecular Dynamics, proton band-structure calculations, and Monte Carlo simulations, give insights into phenomena such as temperature-dependent friction and strong inter-adsorbate interactions. Secondly, we present the first measurements of surface dynamics of the Ionic Liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide [C2C1Im][Tf2N] on an Au(111) substrate, where quantum scattering is seen.

This talk is part of the Physics and Chemistry of Solids Group series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Cavendish Laboratory Seminars
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• Centre for Health Leadership and Enterprise
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• ME Seminar
• Mott Seminar Room, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics
• Neurons, Fake News, DNA and your iPhone: The Mathematics of Information
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