Characteristics of Dy/W(<f>1 1 2</f>) thin films during epitaxial growth

At RT a laminar growth has been found for Dy on W(1 1 2). For coverages more than 1 ML, epitaxial relations of Dy(0 0 0 1)<f>&par;</f>W(1 1 2) with Dy[1 1 <f>2¯</f> 0]<f>&par;</f>W[1 1 <f>1¯</f>] were found. The high background intensity and the limited energy range over which the Dy LEED spots were visible suggests that the film was not well ordered. STM studies showed that the development of the second monolayer involved chain-like atomic rows, with irregular lengths and distances, on top of the first monolayer. For five monolayer films, flat terraces of Dy were observed by STM. Growth at 470 and 570 K was also found to be laminar, but LEED produced patterns with streaks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]