Ab initiostep and kink formation energies on Pb(111)

Ab-initio formation energies for (100)- and (111)-microfacet steps on Pb(111) are in satisfactory agreement with measured values, given that these values are known only as well as the Pb(111) surface energy; the calculated step-energy ratio, 1.29, is within {approximately}8% of experiment. In contrast, calculated kink-formation energies, 41 and 60 meV for the two step types, are 40--50% below published experimental values derived from STM images. The discrepancy results from interpreting the images with a step-stiffness vs. kink-energy relation appropriate to (100) but not (111) surfaces. Good agreement is found when the step-stiffness data are reinterpreted, taking proper account of the trigonal symmetry of Pb(111)