Growth morphology of ultrathin Pb layers on Ni(001)

The atomic structure and morphology of ultrathin Pb layers deposited on the Ni(001) face in ultrahigh vacuum at the substrate temperature, ranging from 145 K to 900 K, were investigated with the use of the Auger electron spectroscopy and low-energy electron diffraction. The analysis of the Auger electron spectroscopy measurements indicates that the Volmer-Weber growth of the Pb takes place for substrate temperature T < 300 K. Between 300 and 600 K, the Stranski-Krastanov growth mode is observed. For 600 K ≤ T ≤ 700 K, only first two-dimensional Pb layer formation is found. Above 700 K desorption of lead atoms from the first layer is observed. The ordered low-energy electron diffraction patterns corresponding to p(1 × 1) and c(2 × 2) structures are observed.