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Reflection electron imaging and spectroscopy studies of aluminium metal reduction at α‐aluminium oxide (0,1,2) surfaces
Author(s) -
Wang Z. L.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1991.tb03178.x
Subject(s) - auger electron spectroscopy , aluminium , aluminium oxide , oxide , materials science , electron energy loss spectroscopy , oxygen , metal , electron spectroscopy , reflection (computer programming) , energy dispersive x ray spectroscopy , analytical chemistry (journal) , scanning electron microscope , spectroscopy , chemistry , metallurgy , transmission electron microscopy , nanotechnology , composite material , physics , organic chemistry , chromatography , quantum mechanics , computer science , nuclear physics , programming language
SUMMARY Cleaved α‐aluminium oxide (0,1,2) surfaces are studied using combined techniques of scanning reflection electron microscopy and reflection electron energy‐loss spectroscopy. An α‐aluminium oxide (0,1,2) surface can terminate with a layer of either oxygen or Al atoms depending on where the bonds break. Aluminium metal can be reduced only from the domains initially terminated with oxygen by an intensive electron beam. The interpretation of this damage effect is based on the desorption process of oxygen atoms after Auger decay. The resistance to beam damage of the domains initially terminated with Al is found to be due to the protection of the surface adsorbed amorphous oxygen layer.