2004/06/30 by Oleg Shpyrko, Oleg G. Shpyrko, Alexei Yu. Grigoriev +11
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Chemical Physics Studies #Surface and Thin Film Phenomena #Thermodynamic and Structural Properties of Metals and Alloys #cond-mat.mtrl-sci #cond-mat.stat-mech
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevb.70.224206
published as PHYSICAL REVIEW B 70, 224206 (2004) · 8 pages, 9 figures; to be submitted to Phys. Rev. B; updated references, expanded discussion
arxiv created 2004/12/15 · openalex publication_date 2004/12/15 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
X-ray reflectivity measurements on the free surface of liquid Sn are presented. They exhibit the high-angle peak, indicative of surface-induced layering, also found for other pure liquid metals (Hg, Ga, and In). However, a low-angle shoulder, not hitherto observed for any pure liquid metal, is also found, indicating the presence of a high-density surface layer. Fluorescence and resonant reflectivity measurements rule out the assignment of this layer to surface segregation of impurities. The reflectivity is modeled well by a 10% contraction of the spacing between the first and second atomic surface layers, relative to that of subsequent layers. Possible reasons for this are discussed.