Disordering of the Pb (110) surface

Molecular dynamics simulations incorporating a many-body glue model potential (GM) have been used to investigate the atomic structure and dynamics of the Pb (1 1 0) surface in the range from room temperature up to the bulk melting point. The main features of the surface disordering process include: generation of vacancies and the formation of an adlayer, the formation of so-called “local steps” and further their proliferation including wandering, creation and propagation of a quasiliquid surface film. These processes are illustrated by the use of a modern visualization technique.