Position-dependent rate Potential energy functions

Step fluctuations have been observed for both Ag and Cu surfaces in both vacuum and electrolytes [8]. As shown in Fig. 11, the steps on an immersed Ag(lll) actually appear to be friz2y due to kink motion, which is rapid compared to the tip raster speed [8,91,92]. In x — t images, the fluctuations can be quantitatively analyzed by means of a step correlation function, G(t) = [x t) — x(0)] >, where x defines the step position at a particular time, t. If image drift is a problem, the step pair correlation function may be used [8, 93]. The evolution of the correlation function and its dependence on step spacing is a reflection of the mass transport mechanism, which is dependent on both the potential and electrolyte composition. Furthermore, an assessment of the temperature dependence of the fluctuations allows the activation energy of the rate-limiting process to be evaluated. As shown in Fig. 11,... 

---