Reactions at the interface of ultrathin Fe films deposited on ZnO(0 0 0 1) and ZnO(0 0 0−1) single crystal substrates

In this work we focus on the chemical interactions at the interface formed during the room temperature deposition of thin Fe films on polar ZnO surfaces via electron beam evaporation. The Fe is found to grow in layers and to form polycrystalline, disordered films. At the interface a considerable reaction takes place. By X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the formation of Fe²⁺ and metallic zinc species is detected.