Evidence of epitaxial growth of bcc Co on Cr(100)

Abstract

We report a LEED/Auger study of the growth of cobalt ultra-thin films on Cr(100) surfaces. We demonstrate that Co can be grown epitaxially at room temperature, probably in a metastable bcc phase on this chromium surface. A 1 × 1 LEED pattern is observed at least up to 20 cobalt monolayers. The Auger data are consistent with an abrupt interface and a layer-by-layer growth mode.