Observation for local distortion of iron nitride layer by using moire pattern

Abstract

We have observed the moire pattern of the hexagonal iron nitride layer on the Cu(111) substrate by using scanning tunnel microscopy. By observing the tiny change in the moire pattern, we have visualized the local strain of the iron nitride layer. This tiny shift of the iron nitride lattice is too small to be measured by using conventional STM observation. Our observation for the moire pattern enables us to measure the small strain.