Surface Structure and Temperature‐Reversible Phase Transition of Sn on W(110) Surface

Abstract

The growth of Sn overlayers on the W(110) surface is investigated using low‐energy electron diffraction analysis. The structural investigation reveals Sn adsorption sites on the W(110) for (1 × 3) and (1 × 4) structures. During the formation of the (1 × 3) structure, Sn atoms are only adsorbed on the threefold hollow sites. However, at higher coverages, Sn atoms are adsorbed on the fourfold hollow sites after the threefold hollow sites are filled up to form the (1 × 4) structure, resulting in a dense overlayer structure. Both structures are overlayer with no alloy formation at the interface. The (1 × 3) phase exhibits a temperature‐reversible phase transition below ≈270 K. At low temperatures, a phase with long‐range order is developed.