A model for the roughening of reconstructed surfaces: finite-size study and phase diagram

The authors present a novel solid-on-solid model loosely mimicking the structural properties of reconstructing FCC(110) solid-vapour interfaces. The model allows for the study of the interplay between the reconstruction and roughening phase transitions. A numerical finite-size transfer-matrix study of the model yields a phase diagram where roughening takes place above reconstruction, confirming the picture advocated by a related study of Villain and Vilfan (1988) for Au(110). The nature of both phase transitions is also investigated.