What determines the structures formed by oxygen at low index surfaces of copper?

This article reviews structural details from tensor LEED analyses for three oxygen on copper surfaces, specifically those designated Cu(11O)-(2x1)-O, Cu(110)-c(6x2)-O and Cu(100)-(2 root 2x root 2)R45 degrees-O. Certain common features are identified and discussed. It appears that these particular structures receive some stability from being able to fit O-Cu-O building blocks, of the sort needed to construct bulk Cu2O, on to the Cu substrates. Each O atom maintains a four-coordinate status, while simultaneously allowing reasonable O-Cu bond lengths. Comparisons are made with other related systems, namely O at Ni and N at Cu surfaces.