Visualization of the inverse layer-plus-island growth in Fe islands on W(110) substrate

• Published in: Current applied physics Vol. 15; no. 9; pp. 1042 - 1046
• Main Authors: Seo, Jungpil, Kim, Tae-Hwan, Kuk, Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2015; 한국물리학회
• Subjects: Growth mode; Interface; Shadow mask; SK growth; STM; 물리학; SK growth; Shadow mask; STM; Growth mode; Interface
• ISSN: 1567-1739; 1878-1675; 1567-1739
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cap.2015.06.027

Many experiments have been conducted so far to control the growth mode in heterostructures, but success has only been restricted to strain-controlled growth systems. In this study, using the shadow mask deposition technique, we have changed the growth mode in the Fe/W heterostructures from the layer-plus-island growth mode to island-plus-layer growth mode. From this, we have ignited the competing growth between forming the islands and wetting the first layer, and have directly visualized the island-plus-layer growth by controlling the annealing temperature of the system. This unconventional growth mode may play an important role in studying the hidden boundaries of hetero-interfaces. •We have grown Fe islands on W(110) substrate using the shadow mask technique.•We have visualized the initial growth stage of the Stranski–Krastanov mode.•We have controlled the growth mode from island-plus-layer growth to layer-plus-island growth.