The plasmon dispersion in arrays of nanowires of Pb close to an average Pb coverage of one monolayer was determined on the Si(557) surface using electron energy loss spectroscopy with both high energy and momentum resolution. While we find purely one-dimensional (1D) plasmon losses at a Pb concentration of 1.31 monolayers (ML), measured with respect to the Si(111) surface concentration, the 1.2 and 1.4 ML coverages exhibit wavelength-dependent transitions from 1D to anisotropic 2D properties. However, due to the high anisotropy in the system at all coverages, the dispersion curves exhibit 1D characteristics in both directions. This behavior seems to be related to the Pb-induced refacetting of the Si(557) surface, which depends on Pb coverage. It changes both effective system sizes and coupling strength between miniterraces.

• Received 23 August 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.84.205402