Phosphine adsorption and the production of phosphide phases on Cu(0 0 1)

• Published in: Surface science Vol. 515; no. 2; pp. 553 - 566
• Main Authors: Goncharova, L.V., Clowes, S.K., Fogg, R.R., Ermakov, A.V., Hinch, B.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01-09-2002; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Adsorption and desorption kinetics; evaporation and condensation; Atom–solid scattering and diffraction – inelastic; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Copper; Exact sciences and technology; Phosphine; Physics; Single crystal surfaces; Solid-fluid interfaces; Sticking; Surface structure, morphology, roughness, and topography; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Single crystal surfaces; Surface structure, morphology, roughness, and topography; Sticking; Copper; Atom–solid scattering and diffraction – inelastic; Phosphine; Inorganic adsorbate; Rough surfaces; Experimental study; Thermal stability; AES; Surface structure; Gas solid adsorption; Atom diffraction; Transition elements; Sticking coefficient; Gas solid interface; Metallic adsorbent; Adsorption structure; Crystal faces; Phosphines
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/S0039-6028(02)01978-7

The adsorption and thermal decomposition of PH
3 on a Cu(0
0
1) surface has been investigated by means of high-resolution helium atom scattering, Auger electron spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption. Phosphine adsorption at
T
x
<160 K produces a molecular overlayer structure with short-range order. Annealing of the low-temperature structure results in decomposition of the adsorbed PH
3, and desorption of hydrogen between
T
x
=250 K and
T
x
=320 K. Molecular phosphine was not seen to desorb. Phosphine deposition at room temperature or above produces well-ordered copper–phosphorus phases exhibiting either c(6×8) or c(6×6) diffraction patterns, depending upon the deposition conditions. Auger electron spectra indicate that these ordered phases contain approximately 1/3 ML or more of phosphorus. Possible atomic models for the overlayer structures are discussed.