Characterization of the interface by core-level photoemission electron spectroscopy

Abstract The growth of Co layers deposited at room temperature on a Au(111) single-crystal has been studied by means of synchrotron radiation induced angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (PES). The surface and bulk components of the Au 4 f 7 2 photoemission line were analyzed as a function of Co coverage. From the evolution of the positions and intensities of the different contributions of the Au 4 f 7 2 line one can deduce an island growth below two monolayers (ML) coverage. Above 2 ML, the completion of the interstices between islands starts and the surface is completely covered slightly above 3 ML. A third component appears above 2.2 ML in the photoemission line and is attributed to interdiffusion between the Co overlayer and the Au substrate.