Structure Pt3Sn(110) studied by scanning tunneling microscopy - art. no. 245403

The (110) surface of the alloy Pt3Sn is studied by scanning tunneling micro scopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, low-energy ion spectroscopy, and low-en ergy electron diffraction. Preferential sputtering of the surface causes de pletion in Sn in the surface region. Annealing at 600 K leads to the format ion of a hill-and-valley structure with {102} facets perpendicular to the c lose packed [(1) over bar 10] surface rows. After annealing at 1000 K large terraces are formed with a bulk-terminated structure and well-defined step s. Of the two possible terminations, i.e., pure Pt or PtSn, the Sn rich sur face is clearly favored.