We investigated the epitaxial growth of bcc Fe on MgO(100) using STM a
nd LEED as a function of growth temperature. We found the island size
and shape to vary with the deposition temperature and post-deposition
annealing. Relatively smooth island surfaces can be obtained by deposi
tion around 160 degrees C, however, the island heights distribution is
rather irregular then. The rms roughness is lowest for deposition at
110 degrees C. At fewer deposition temperatures the islands become mon
round-shaped, likely due to a reduction of step edge diffusion. Post-
deposition annealing to temperatures around 210 degrees C increases th
e overall variation of the island height distribution.