Studies of initial oxidation on silicon-iron alloy (100) by means of work function and Auger electron spectroscopy

Abstract

An initial oxidation process is studied on 5.59 at. % Si–Fe alloy (100) and iron (100) single crystals by the photoelectric work function combined with Auger electron spectroscopy in the low‐pressure range of oxygen (10⁻⁸−10⁻⁶ Torr). A 46‐V Auger peak of iron is split into two peaks (41 and 49 V) followed by an oxygen peak as the iron is oxidized. Oxidation at ∼ 10⁻⁶ Torr brings about an abrupt increase in the work function in consequence of the chemisorption of oxygen on the sample.