In situ x-ray study of the oxidation of a vicinal NiAl(6,7,1) surface

J. Phys.: Condens. Matter

Freund

2012

Noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) has been performed on an aluminum oxide film grown on NiAl(110) in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) at low temperature (5 K). Results reproduce the topography of the structural model, unlike scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) images. Equipped with this extraordinary contrast the network of extended defects, which stems from domain boundaries intersecting the film surface, can be analysed in atomic detail. The knowledge of occurring surface structures opens up the opportunity to determine adsorption sites of individual adsorbates on the alumina film. The level of difficulty for such imaging depends on the imaging characteristics of the substrate and the interaction which can be maintained above the adsorbate. Positions of single adsorbed gold atoms within the unit cell have been determined despite their easy removal at slightly higher interaction strength. Preliminary manipulation experiments indicate a pick-up process for the vanishing of the gold adatoms from the film surface.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imaging and manipulation of adatoms on an alumina surface by noncontact atomic force microscopy

J. Phys.: Condens. Matter

Freund

2012

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From Ordered to Vitreous Oxide Films

Surface and Interface Science

Lichtenstein

2014

Resolving oxide surfaces – From point and line defects to complex network structures

Physica Status Solidi (b)

Lichtenstein

2013