Diffusion of potassium on the W(112) plane preadsorbed by Ni atoms: Field emission current fluctuations - Autocorrelation study

Diffusion of potassium adsorbate on the W(112) plane with preadsorbed nickel was investigated by means of the autocorrelation function of field emission current fluctuations. A comparison of the experimental autocorrelation function with that of a theoretical calculation by Gesley and Swanson gives the surface diffusion coefficient of potassium. From its temperature dependence the diffusion activation energy at several Ni pre-coverages for a constant potassium coverage (Theta (K) = 0.4) is derived. The dependence of the activation energy for potassium surface diffusion on the nickel coverage - first reduction and then an increase with increasing Ni coverage - is observed. This is in agreement with the results obtained from the spectral analysis of the field emission current fluctuations of the same system. The decrease is understood to be a result of the smoothing effect caused by Ni atoms on the W(112) plane.