Phosphine and tertiarybutylphosphine adsorption on the indium-rich InP (0 0 1)-(2 × 4) surface

Phosphine and tertiarybutylphosphine adsorption on the indium-rich InP (0 0 1)-(2 × 4) surface at 25 °C have been studied by internal reflection infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and low energy electron diffraction. Both molecules form a dative bond to the empty dangling bonds on the In–P heterodimers and the second-layer In–In dimers and vibrate symmetrically at 2319 (2315) and 2285 (2281) cm−1 and asymmetrically at 2339 (2339) and 2327 (2323) cm−1. A fraction of these species dissociate into adsorbed PH2 with the hydrogen and tertiarybutyl ligands transferring to nearby phosphorus sites. The calculated energy barriers for desorption (<11 kcal/mol) of these molecules is less than that for dissociation (>17 kcal/mol) and explains their low sticking probabilities at elevated temperatures under InP growth conditions.