Two-dimensional alloy of immiscible metals: Single and binary monolayer films of Pb and Sn on Rh(111)

J. Yuhara, M. Schmid, and P. Varga
Phys. Rev. B 67, 195407 – Published 12 May 2003
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Abstract

The single and binary metal films of Pb and Sn on Rh(111) have been studied at room temperature by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), low-energy electron diffraction, and Auger electron spectroscopy. Both Pb and Sn are mobile at low coverage and form commensurate overlayers of (4×4)-Pb and c(2×4)-Sn, respectively. From atomically resolved STM images, the atomic arrangements of (4×4)-Pb and c(2×4)-Sn have been identified to be hexagonal and rectangular structures, respectively. With increasing coverage, both commensurate phases change into incommensurate phases followed by island formation (Stranski-Krastanov growth). This shows that Rh(111) is static and inert enough to support two-dimensional (2D) phases of Pb and/or Sn without alloying at room temperature. The Pb-Sn bimetallic film on Rh(111) forms an ordered 2D alloy of PbSn3 with an incommensurate structure close to (7×7), contrary to the immiscibility of Pb and Sn in the bulk. From atomically resolved STM images, the atomic arrangement of this (7×7)-(Pb,Sn) structure has been determined.

  • Received 23 January 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.67.195407

©2003 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

J. Yuhara1,2,*, M. Schmid2, and P. Varga2

  • 1Department of Crystalline Materials Science, School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
  • 2Institut für Allgemeine Physik, Technische Universität Wien, Wiedner Hauptstraße 8-10, A-1040 Wien, Austria

  • *Corresponding author. Electronic address: j-yuhara@nucl.nagoya-u.ac.jp

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Vol. 67, Iss. 19 — 15 May 2003

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