A self-consistent multiple-peak structure of the photoemission spectra of metallic Fe 2p as a function of film thickness

The Fe 2p spectrum has a very complex peak structure and a very strong background. Based on the comparison of the spectra for iron film with varying thicknesses, an experimental multiple-peak structure for the metallic Fe 2p spectrum is proposed. The analysis required the use of state-of-the-art background modeling (including the active approach) and peak-fitting methods (including the simultaneous fitting method). A key aspect that allowed for this analysis is that the peak components are the same for various Fe film thicknesses, but with varying relative intensities. The early stages of oxidation are analyzed. The angular dependence of the peak components is also discussed.