s–p Hybridization in highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and its change on surface modification, as studied by X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopies

X-ray photoelectron and confocal Raman spectroscopies have been used to study the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface before and after Ar+ treatment/Cu evaporation, and Cu sputter deposition. They have clarified the HOPG surface structure and the types and extents of damage on surface treatment. The dynamics of the Cu clusters evaporated onto the untreated and Ar+-treated surfaces, and those of the sputtered Cu, indicate that phenomena such as cluster dimensions and surface densities are related to the extent of Cu/surface interaction.