For gold (110), the 1982 paper compared an untreated surface with one prepared by argon sputtering and annealing. Repeated cleaning reproduced the corrugation; the gap-modulation signal checked work function variation. This supported a structural interpretation while exposing the danger of confusing work function contrast with geometric relief.[ref]
Surface Studies by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy by Gerd Binnig and others. p. 59, Au preparation, repeated cleaning and modulated signal
The authored lecture describes resolving the surface reconstruction on gold (110), alongside ribbons of other periodicities. It also reports gold transfer to the tip on contact and fluctuating resolution, attributed tentatively to migrating tip chemical atoms. The probe could change during observation: an image was evidence requiring controls, not an unambiguous map of atomic positions.[ref]
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: From Birth to Adolescence by Gerd Binnig and others. pp. 398–399, Au(110) reconstruction, tip coating and changing resolution
Surface reconstruction 2026-10-18
A surface reconstruction rearranges chemical atoms at a crystal surface relative to a simple termination of its bulk crystal structure.