  An in-situ nanoscopic investigation of the prototypical surface alloying
system Ag/Pt(111) is reported. The morphology and the structure of the
ultrathin Ag-Pt film is studied using Low Energy Electron Microscopy during
growth at about 800 K. An amazingly rich dynamic behaviour is uncovered in
which stress relieve plays a governing role. Initial growth leads to surface
alloying with prolonged and retarded nucleation of ad-islands. Beyond 50%
coverage de-alloying proceeds, joined by partial segregation of Pt towards the
centre of large islands in violent processes. Upon coalescence the irregularly
shaped vacancy clusters are filled by segregating Pt, which then take a compact
shape (black spots). As a result at around 85% coverage the strain of the
initially pseudo-morphological film is almost completely relieved and
Pt-segregation is at its maximum. Further deposition of Ag leads to transient
re-entrant alloying and recovery of the pseudo-morphological layer. The black
spots persist even in/on several layers thick films. Ex-situ atomic force
microscopy data confirm that these are constituted by probably amorphous
Pt(-rich) structures. The (sub-)monolayer films are very much heterogeneous.
