RHEED and EELS study of Pd/Al bimetallic thin film growth on different α-Al2O3 substrates

Pd/Al bimetallic thin films were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on single-crystalline α-Al2O3(0 0 0 1) and (1 1 2̄ 0) surfaces. Substrate and deposit crystallographic structures and evolution of deposit lattice parameter during the growth were studied by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The electron energy loss spectroscopy was used as an auxiliary method for chemical analysis. The bimetallic films were prepared by successive deposition of both Pd and Al metals. The structure of Pd and Al deposits in early stages of the growth and its dependence on the preparation conditions were studied. Two phases of Pd clusters covered by Al overlayer have been found. The formation of Al overlayer strongly influenced the lattice parameter of Pd clusters.