Abstract
The growth of Fe submonolayer films on Au(001) at various substrate temperatures (300–500 K) was investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). STM topographic and barrier height images show that the growth mode and morphology of the films markedly depend on growth temperature. Fe islands with a monolayer height nucleate and grow on flat terraces of Au(001) at 300 K. However, Fe islands with double-layer height and small pinholes were observed on terraces at 353 and 393 K, and step edges were decorated by Fe dendrites. A clear element-specific contrast between Fe islands and Au substrate was observed below 400 K. At elevated growth temperature, above 400 K, a segregated Au layer was observed. The mechanism of the surface segregation of Au is also discussed in terms of the surface diffusion through the pinholes.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.