We study the formation mechanism and microstructure of nickel (Ni) atomic aggregates on the silicone oil surfaces by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Initially, the deposited atoms nucleate and form the compact clusters on the liquid surfaces. Then they perform Brownian motion and adhere upon impact. Finally the branched aggregates are formed. The Ni aggregates exhibit granular structure. The mean size of the granularities in the aggregates is of the order of 10 nm and it decreases with the nominal film thickness. The experiment shows that the Ni aggregates perform a directional diffusion towards the sample edge. The interpretation for this phenomenon is presented.
Iron (Fe) films with a thickness ranging from 1.0 nm to 80.0 nm are deposited on silicone oil surfaces by a vapor phase deposition method. The films with a thickness of < 2.0 nm do not exhibit planar morphology but ramified aggregates instead. Magnetic force microscopy studies for the Fe films (10.0 nm ≤ ≤ 80.0 nm) show that the domain wall structure is widespread and irregularly shaped and the oscillation phase shift Δ , which records as the magnetic force image, changes from 0.29 ∘ to 0.81 ∘. Correspondingly, the magnetic force gradient varies from 1.4 × 10 −3 to 4.0 × 10 −3 N/m, respectively. In our measurement, the characteristic domain walls, such as Bloch walls, Néel walls and cross-tie walls, are not observed in the film system clearly.
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