Epitaxial growth of ultrathin Ag films on Al(111)

The structure and growth mode of Ag evaporated on Al(111) at room temperatu re were investigated by ion scattering. Within the limits of our experiment al resolution (0.2 Angstrom), the positions of the adsorbed Ag atoms were f ound to coincide laterally and vertically with the positions of the extende d Al bulk lattice. The fee stacking layer sequence of the substrate is kept by the adsorbing Ag at least up to the second layer. Strong indications fo r island formation (three-dimensional growth mode) have been found. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.