Development and characterization of Fe ultrathin films on theSrTiO3(100) surface

Abstract

The adsorption of Fe on the SrTiO3(100) surface at room temperature has been studied in ultrahigh vacuum by means of Augerelectron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, electron energy loss spectroscopy,thermal desorption spectroscopy and work function measurements. The results show thatiron probably grows in the mode of successive incomplete layers. For coverages≥1.5 ML, ashort range 1 × 1 order appears and the deposited Fe overlayer develops in body-centred cubic structure with and crystallographic orientation . The results of the electron spectroscopies do not indicate any ironoxidation at the metal–oxide interface. Instead, an interaction between the Feadatoms gradually leads to the metallization of the Fe overlayer. Thus, theFe/SrTiO3(100) interfaceseems to be a rather abrupt metal–oxide interface, which presents a good thermal stability for annealingup to ∼800 K. In conclusion, this adsorption system looks ideal for free-standing ultrathinFe films and low-dimensional structures, useful for technological applications.