Ultrathin Si layers were deposited at room temperature on fee Co(100)
films grown epitaxially on Cu(100). The surfaces were studied by low-e
nergy electron diffraction (LEED), Auger electron, and photoelectron s
pectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. The growth mode was studied b
y Auger uptake curves. From the Si2p core-level shifts the existence o
f a unique adsorption site is inferred at low coverages. Photoelectron
forward-scattering experiments revealed no pronounced binding directi
ons, whereas LEED patterns were observed at all coverages. This is com
patible with the growth of an ordered layer of Si on top of the Co(100
) substrate at low coverages followed by the growth of a disordered Si
layer with holes.