EPITAXIAL GROWTH OF GOLD AND SILVER ON MAGNESIUM OXIDE CLEAVED IN ULTRAHIGH VACUUM

Abstract

Single-crystal, high-purity films of silver and gold were formed by ultrahigh vacuum deposition on surfaces of magnesium oxide cleaved in vacuum. Epitaxial characteristics were studied in situ at various stages of formation by LEED and on stripped films by electron microscopy and high energy electron diffraction. It is significant that well-ordered epitaxial (100) Au and (100) Ag films were obtained on untreated MgO surfaces cleaved in UHV. Nucleation at -195°C or severe electron bombardment followed by deposition at 200°C produced gold films with (111) fiber-axis orientations.