Demixing processes in AgPd superlattices

J. Dumont, R. Sporken, M. J. Verstraete, J. Ghijsen, X. Gonze

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The present scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study describes the growth of silver-palladium heterostructures at room temperature, with ab initio simulations of ordered AgPd phases supporting the interpretation of STM images. First, the growth of Pd on an Ag(111) surface proceeds in a multilayer mode, leading to the formation of a columnar structure. Then, upon Ag deposition on this structure, Ag and Pd partially mix and form a two-dimensional AgPd alloy on top of the columns. Finally, an atomically flat Ag(111) surface is restored, and two-dimensional growth continues. An interpretation of this peculiar growth mode including interfacial alloying is proposed based on thermodynamic and kinetic arguments.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number315002
    JournalJournal of physics. Condensed matter
    Volume21
    Issue number31
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

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