Structure of a Zn monolayer on Ag(111) and Ag(110) substrates: An AES, LEED and STM study

Abstract

Auger Electron Spectroscopy, Low Energy Electron Diffraction and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy have been used to study the atomic structure of a Zn monolayer deposited on Ag(111) and Ag(110) substrates at room temperature. On both faces, there is formation of a close packed monolayer of Zn covering the entire substrate surface and giving rise to specific Moiré patterns. From a comprehensive LEED and STM data analysis, we deduce that the Zn monolayer adopts a (111) structure equivalent to a pure Zn layer rotated with respect to the silver substrate, of about 1.5° on the Ag(111) face and of about 4.5° on the Ag(110) face giving rise respectively to (√156x√156)R18° and c(12 × 6) superstructures.