Surface phonons of NiO(001) ultrathin films grown pseudomorphically on Ag(001)

TL;DR

This study investigates the vibrational properties of ultrathin NiO(001) films on Ag(001) using HREELS, revealing that phonon characteristics are established at 4 ML and showing notable differences in surface-localized phonons compared to thicker films.

Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed phonon dispersion data for 4 ML NiO(001) films, demonstrating that ultrathin films already exhibit bulk-like phonon properties with notable surface phonon modifications.

Findings

Phonon properties are fully developed at 4 ML thickness.

Surface-localized phonon S6 shows increased dispersion in ultrathin films.

The Fuchs-Kliewer phonon-polariton has a narrower lineshape, indicating reduced antiferromagnetic coupling.

Abstract

For a ultrathin NiO(001) film of 4 monolayers (ML) thickness grown on Ag(001), the vibrational properties have been determined by high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). For the well-ordered pseudomorphically grown film, nine phonon modes have been identified and their dispersions have been revealed along the Gamma-X high-symmetry direction. The comparison with phonon data for a 25 ML thick NiO(001) film shows that the NiO (001) phonon properties are already fully developed at 4 ML. Significant differences are found for the surface-localized phonon S6 which has an increased dispersion for the ultrathin film. The dipole-active Fuchs-Kliewer phonon-polariton exhibits a narrower lineshape than the mode found for a single-crystal surface, which might hint to a reduced antiferromagnetic coupling in the ultrathin film.