The structure of the alpha-Al2O3(0001) surface from low-energyelectron diffraction: Al termination and evidence for large thermalvibrations

Journal Article · Fri May 05 00:00:00 EDT 2000 · Physical Review B

OSTI ID:860455

Soares, E A; Van Hove, M A; Walters, C F; McCarty, K F

We have determined the surface structure of alpha-Al2O3(0001) using dynamical low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). Sapphire surfaces were prepared in three different ways, and the diffraction results were analyzed using an exhaustive search of possible models. For all sample processing conditions, the clearly favored structure has a single Al layer termination and a large first interlayer contraction. In addition, we find that the surface atoms have unusually large vibrational amplitudes at room temperature, suggestive of an anharmonic vibrational mode.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Director. Office of Science. Office of Basic EnergySciences. Materials Sciences Division; National Counsel of Technologicaland Scientific Development/Brazil
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 860455
• Report Number(s): LBNL-49725; R&D Project: 505501; BnR: KC0202030; TRN: US200524%%189
• Journal Information: Physical Review B, Vol. 65, Issue 19; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 05/15/2002
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
AMPLITUDES
ATOMS
CONTRACTION
DIFFRACTION
ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
PROCESSING
SAPPHIRE
Surface Structure of a-Al2O3 LEED Anomolous ThermalVibrations