High-resolution electron-energy-loss-spectroscopy study of the oxidation of Al(111)

Abstract

High-resolution electron-energy-loss spectra are reported which describe the oxidation of Al(111) surfaces. The initial stage of oxidation is characterized by both surface and subsurface atomic oxygen. The surface oxygen phase is unstable and converts to subsurface oxygen at room temperature. No evidence of molecular oxygen adsorption is observed. The dipole scattering mechanism is found to apply to "subsurface" dipoles near metal surfaces.