Abstract. Au(111) vicinal surfaces are characteristic examples of two-phase segregation or faceting. Between ~4° and 9.5° miscut, the surface exhibits hill-and-valley structures formed by bunches of relatively wide (d_w~36–41 Å) and narrow (d_n~14 Å) terraces. The evolution of surface electronic states in such a faceted system is followed using a curved crystal. Beyond 4° the surface state splits into distinct d_w and d_n bands. Our analysis suggests the crucial role of surface states in defining the characteristic d_w and d_n sizes during Au faceting.

Received 21 July 2008
Published 14 November 2008