On the nature of L1 0 ordering in equiatomic AuNi and AuCu thin films grown on Au(001)

Abstract

The L1 0 ordering of thin epitaxial films having a (001) surface normal subject to elastic constraints imposed by a similarly oriented substrate has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Thin AuNi films grown by MBE at room temperature on Au(001) by means of the alternating deposition of Au and Ni are found to possess a L1 0 structure free of periodic antiphase boundaries when growth in controlled in such a way as to ensure that the quantity of Au or Ni deposited is almost exactly equal to one monolayer. If such control is not exercised during growth, a structure having periodic antiphase boundaries is formed. This behaviour stands in contrast to that of AuCu during room temperature MBE growth on Au(001), where a strongly ordered L1 0 structure free of antiphase boundaries is formed even on the codeposition of Au and Cu. The effect of elastic constraints on the state of order in an alloy film which undergoes an L1 0 order-disorder transition is examined as a function of temperature, lattice mismatch, and film thickness within the context of a model which allows for the introduction of dislocations in order to relieve misfit strain. Calculations are performed in detail for the case of AuCu, where particular attention is paid to the coupling between film thickness, the number of misfit dislocations present at equilibrium, and the state of order.