Ultra-thin film growth of titanium dioxide on W(100)

We have employed low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to follow the epitaxial growth of thin films of TiO2 on W(1 0 0). The films were grown both by metal vapour deposition of titanium onto the substrate in UHV with subsequent annealing in a low partial pressure of oxygen, and by metal vapour deposition in a low partial pressure of oxygen. LEED patterns showed the characteristic patterns of (1 1 0) oriented rutile. A systematic spot splitting was observed and attributed to a stepped surface. The calculated step height was found to be in good agreement with that expected for rutile TiO2(1 1 0), 3.3 Angstrom. Titanium core level shifts were used to identify oxidation states as a function of film thickness allowing the interpretation in terms of a slightly sub-stoichiometric interface layer in contact with the substrate. In combination with the LEED patterns, the film structure is therefore determined to be (1 1 0) oriented rutile with a comparable level of stoichiornetry to UHV prepared bulk crystals. The ordered step structure indicates considerable structural complexity of the surface. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.