Fe-contacts on InAs(100) and InP(100) characterised by conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy

We have grown 4 nm thin films of Fe-57 on InAs(100) and InP(100) surfaces by use of MBE and studied the samples by Fe-57 conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy. In the case of InAs, the Mossbauer spectrum showed a sextet due to alpha-Fe and a further magnetically split component with slightly smaller hyperfine field, which is attributed to interface components.

This result indicates that there is a relatively sharp interface between Fe and InAs. On the contrary, the spectrum of the InP sample showed a sextet with very broad lines and a smaller average hyperfine field. This suggests a strong chemical reaction between iron and the substrate, which results in the formation of a poorly crystalline phase. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd.

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