Local morphology and correlation lengths of reactive NiO/Cu(111) interfaces

A combined experimental near-field and reciprocal space analysis was used to quantitatively characterize the complex reactive interaction between a NiO vapor phase and the stable Cu(111) surface. The results are discussed within a pair potential energetics model. It is shown that the incorporation of Ni in the substrate in the early stages of growth leads to a well-defined almost monodispersed assembly of holes (48 {} in diameter). The Ni-rich corrals along the hole edges act as a template for the subsequent (>4 NiO) growth of NiO islands showing a well-defined correlation length of again 48 {}.