J. Lobodacackovic et Jh. Block, PROPERTIES OF PDCU(110) SINGLE-CRYSTAL ALLOY SURFACES - REVERSIBLE CHANGES OF DOMAIN SIZES, Vacuum, 46(12), 1995, pp. 1449-1453
The composition of PdCu(110) single crystal alloy surfaces (bulk Pd/Cu
= ? : ?) can be changed by sputtering and annealing at different tempe
ratures. A survey of surface structures and compositions in equilibriu
m shows the influence of Cu segregation. Samples with Cu/Pd ratios in
the surface region (congruent to 4 layers) from 0.3 to 1.3 and with (?
x 2) and (1 x 1) surface structures were prepared. Surfaces with simi
lar to 100% Pd atoms and mixed compositions of Pd and Cu atoms (down t
o similar to 70% Pd) at the top surface layer were investigated. Metho
ds used for characterization were video low energy electron diffractio
n for structure analysis, Auger electron spectroscopy for the surface
region of similar to 4 layers depth and CO thermal desorption spectros
copy for composition analysis of the top surface layer. Domain extents
along [10] and [01] crystallographic directions, of surfaces with dif
ferent compositions, changed reversibly when measured during sample he
ating and cooling cycles. The change proceeds in a manner that depends
on the sizes of domains, on the crystalline amount and on the amount
of Cu in the surface region. The surface domains contain a small numbe
r of lattice cells (similar to 9 to similar to 18) and a large amount
of atoms in the disordered intercrystalline areas.