The ordering kinetics of an oxygen submonolayer on W(110) is investigated at several coverages and temperatures using low-energy electron diffraction. Coverages correspond to ordering in a single-phase region and two different two-phase coexistence regions. The growth follows a power law at early times at each coverage. Dynamic scaling of the growth is investigated at two coverages. It is shown that from the activation energy for the ordering process, an activation energy for non- equilibrium diffusion can be determined. The values are compared to those for equilibrium diffusion.

• Received 29 November 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.39.7595