FE CR(111) INTERFACE FORMATION INVESTIGATED BY SYNCHROTRON-RADIATION-INDUCED PHOTOEMISSION/

The initial stages of interaction between iron and the Cr(111) clean s urface have been studied at room temperature using synchrotron radiati on-(SR)-induced photoemission in the 1-8 angstrom range of iron covera ge. Analysis of the Fe3p level gave evidence for interaction between t he two metals at the interface, that results in formation of a surface alloy. Annealing to 500 K of the Fe/Cr interface confirmed the alloyi ng between the two metals and showed the segregation of Cr at the surf ace. In depth information has been obtained by using two incident phot on energies at 5 angstrom Fe coverage and upon annealing the 8 angstro m Fe/Cr system. A comparison between the Fe3s multiplet splitting for iron in the Fe/Cr interface and for clean iron is also made.