Thermal desorption spectroscopy of Ni, Cu, Ag and Au from W(110)

Abstract

Ni, Cu, Ag and Au on W(110) in the submonolayer range are studied by thermal desorption spectroscopy with the goal of obtaining information on lateral interactions and on the phase state of the adsorption layer in the temperature range in which desorption occurs. Ni, Cu and Ag are found to desorb over a wide coverage range from the two-phase (vapor-condensate) region while Au desorbs only from the single-phase vapor region. Segments of the coexistence curve are determined. The desorption energies have the following limiting values: 4.35–4.95. 3.2–3.85, 2.8–3.55 and 3.3–4.1 eV for Ni, Cu, Ag and Au, respectively.