Wetting of decagonal Al 13 Co 4 and cubic AlCo thin films by liquid Pb.

Authors :: Bergman, C.
Girardeaux, C.
Perrin-Pellegrino, C.
Gas, P.
Chatain, D.
Dubois, J. M.
Rivier, N.
Source :: Philosophical Magazine; 2/21/2006, Vol. 86 Issue 6-8, p849-854, 6p, 2 Diagrams, 1 Graph
Publication Year :: 2006
Abstract: Wetting of micron-sized Pb droplets on thin polycrystalline films of decagonal Al 13 Co 4 and cubic crystalline AlCo phases is reported. The sample preparation is crucial to having Pb droplets lying on a clean surface. Decagonal and cubic films were prepared under high vacuum conditions, by sequential deposition and annealing of specific stackings of Al and Co layers of nanometre thicknesses. A 300?nm thick Pb slab was then deposited on the top of the films. Dewetting experiments were performed in situ in a scanning Auger microprobe where the surface chemistry can be monitored: the Pb slab dewets into droplets. The wetting of Pb on both substrates was found to be similar with contact angles around 45°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]