Growth of copper, silver, and gold on twelve Alkali halides cleaved in vacuum

Abstract

Copper, silver and gold films were grown at 300°C on LiF, NaF, NaCl, NaBr, NaI, KF, KCl, KBr, KI, RbCl, RbBr, and RbI substrates cleaved in vacuum. All the films — except copper grown on LiF — were examined by transmission electron microscopy and diffraction. It was found that: • (i) Single crystals of copper in the orientation of the substrate were obtained on NaBr, NaI, KCl, KBr, KI, RbCl, RbBr, and RbI. • (ii) A silver single crystal in the orientation of the substrate was obtained on NaI. • (iii) Single crystals of gold in the orientation of the substrate were obtained on KBr, KI, RbCl, RbCr, and RbI. The remainder of the films contained at least some metal oriented with (111) parallel to the film plane.