An STM study of the UO2(001) surface

Conference item

The UO2(001) surface has been studied by elevated-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). The first reported STM images taken of the UO2(001) surface reveal a maze-like structure which can be resolved atomically at negative sample bias. The observed atomic periodicity corresponds to half a monolayer of oxygen arranged in slightly relaxed (1 x 1) out-of-phase domains along the [110] and [(1) over bar 10] directions. The shape and arrangement of the domains causes a splitting of the LEED beams which appears as crosses in the LEED pattern. STM also allows the observation of trenches with microscopic {111} facets which may contribute to a decrease in surface energy and stabilisation of the surface. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Authors: Muggelberg, C; Castell, M; Briggs, G; Goddard, D

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
• Volume: 142
• Issue: 1-4
• Pages: 124-128
• Publication date: 1999-04-01
• Event title: 9th International Conference on Solid Films and Surfaces (ICSFS-9)
• DOI: 10.1016/S0169-4332(98)00664-3
• ISSN: 0169-4332
• Keywords: low index single crystal surfaces; surface structure; low energy electron diffraction (LEED); scanning tunnelling microscopy; uranium oxide