In situ scanning high-energy electron diffraction studies of evaporated lead monoxide films

Abstract

The structures of lead monoxide films have been determined during in situ evaporation in a specially built scanning high energy electron diffraction instrument. The evaporations have been made under a variety of conditions and many of the factors determining the growth of the orthorhombic or tetragonal phases and their preferred orientations evaluated. In particular the substrate topography, gas pressures and evaporation rate are shown to have profound effects on the structures of the evaporated films. These give rise to ideas of competitive nucleation processes, which take place continuously during the growth of the films.