The growth of Gd film on Ni(110) surface was studied by synchrotron radiati
on photoemission spectroscopy and XPS techniques. It is revealed that in th
e coverage range of 0-0. 22 nm Gd4f core level showed a single-peak structu
re, therefore Gd film grows over Ni(110) in the layer-by-layer mode. Howeve
r, when Gd coverage was larger than 0.22 nm the Gd4f peak turned gradually
into double-peak and a double-peak structure with 2.3 eV separation was for
med at 1.51 nm, meanwhile similar phenomenon was observed in the Gd4d XPS s
pectra. It is suggested that the double-peak structure of Gd4f was derived
from the growth of Gd film in cluster mode and the Gd atomic clusters may e
xhibit different electronic states from Gd metal owing to their special str
uctures. The Gd4f double-peak evolved into a single-peak on annealing at 60
0 K, implying that Gd clusters are thermodynamically unstable.