Direct correlation between temporal structural fluctuations and electron wind force is demonstrated, for the first time, by STM imaging and analysis of atomically resolved motion on a thin film surface under large applied current (${10}^5\mathrm{A}/{\mathrm{cm}}^2$). The magnitude of the momentum transfer between current carriers and the geometrically constrained atoms in the fluctuating structure is at least $5\times$ to $15\times$ ($\pm 1\sigma$ range) larger than for freely diffusing adatoms. Corresponding changes in surface resistivity will contribute significant fluctuation signature to nanoscale electronic properties.

• Received 13 January 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.206801