STM study of the preparation of clean Ta(110) and the subsequent growth of two-dimensional Fe islands

TL;DR

This study investigates the preparation of clean Ta(110) surfaces and the subsequent growth of two-dimensional Fe islands, using microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to analyze surface states and intermixing behavior.

Contribution

It provides detailed insights into surface reconstruction removal, surface resonance features, and Fe island growth on Ta(110), highlighting temperature-dependent intermixing regimes.

Findings

Surface reconstruction can be removed by annealing at high temperatures.

A surface resonance at -500 mV bias is observed on clean Ta(110).

Intermixing of Fe with Ta occurs at annealing temperatures between 550-590 K.

Abstract

This report deals with the preparation of a clean Ta(110) surface, investigated by means of scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy as well as by low-energy electron diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy. The surface initially exhibits a surface reconstruction induced by oxygen contamination. This reconstruction can be removed by annealing at high temperatures under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The reconstruction-free surface reveals a surface resonance at a bias voltage of about -500 mV. The stages of the transformation are presented and discussed. In a next step, Fe islands were grown on top of Ta(110) and investigated subsequently. An intermixing regime was identified for annealing temperatures of (550 - 590) K.