Influence of the Local Surface Structure on the5pPhotoemission of Adsorbed Xenon

Abstract

This Letter analyzes peaks in ultraviolet photoemission spectra due to the $5p_{\frac{3}{2}}$ and $5p_{\frac{1}{2}}$ levels of Xe atoms adsorbed on various surfaces. The binding-energy shifts are used to distinguish between (a) Pd- and Pt-like adsorption sites on Pd-Pt surfaces, (b) the 5×1 and 1×1 modification of an Ir(100) surface, and (c) step sites and terrace sites on a stepped Ru(0001) surface. The findings are ascribed to local work-function effects and to initial- and final-state orbital energy effects. Xe atoms are thus a very sensitive, local, surface probe.