Detection of disorder at a Cu(110) single-crystal surface by the use of ion scattering spectroscopy

Abstract

Impact Collision Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (ICISS) studies involving 3 keV 6Li + scattered from Cu(110) have demonstrated the existence of a disordered surface layer of Cu atoms on samples that displayed a sharp Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED) pattern. Additional annealing did not affect the LEED pattern, but the ICISS polar scans changed significantly until an ordered surface was achieved. The experimental data agreed quantitatively with Monte-Carlo calculations for scattering from the ordered surface. The calculations also demonstrated how disorder affects ICISS polar scans.