An ultra-thin PdMn intermetallic compound on W(1 1 0)

A study of Pd and Mn co-deposited on W(1 1 0) is presented. Using high resolution core level photoelectron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction it is shown that heating of a sandwich consisting of 1 ML each of Pd and Mn yields a double-layer PdMn compound with a c(2×2) structure. The layers are suggested to be [1 1 0] planes of a PdMn compound with CsCl structure. This relies on the fact that such a phase exists in the bulk, with a lattice parameter nearly identical to that of W. The results demonstrate the feasibility for growth of ultra-thin ordered Pd–Mn films where the stoichiometry and the geometric structure can be controlled.