On the Growth of Silver-Bismuth Alloy Deposits on a Rock Salt

Alloy films of silver–bismuth have been deposited onto rock salt using an evaporant of a silver–bismuth alloy (96% Ag:4% Bi). The films were examined by transmission electron microscopy and diffraction to study their growth and the influence of postdeposition annealing. In the early stages of film growth and up to 300-Å average film thickness the deposits consisted of islands, which grew preferentially at steps on the substrate. The atomic aggregates were dot-like in shape and showed a prefered orientation. In the subsequent stage of their growth the deposits consisted of irregular shaped islands with a random orientation. During annealing a marked aggregation of the deposits occurred. The films were made up of large islands with amorphous atom clusters.