Asymptotic Linear Scaling of Adsorption Induced Stress

We illustrate there exists an asymptotic linear scaling functional form of adsorption induced stress (AIS) at low coverage, as predicted by continuum elastic theory, using first-principles calculations of CO adsorption on Au(100) and K(100) surface. We observe that when the lateral separations between the adsorbents on a surface is $\sim $8-10 {\AA}, the adsorption induced strain field on the surface no longer overlap. This sets a limit to indirect substrate-mediated inter-adsorbent interaction, which also corresponds to the limit beyond which the AIS scales linearly with coverage. At high coverage, AIS show non-monotonous variations and possible interpretation of these variations is suggested.