The initial stages of deposition of Cu on ZnO(101̄0) and MgO(001) surfaces studied by electron energy loss spectroscopy

The copper deposition on single crystal ZnO(101̄0) and MgO(001) surfaces has been studied by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in UHV at room temperature. The initial deposited Cu (well below one monolayer) induces a loss peak at about 2 eV on both oxide surfaces and at 4.3 eV on the MgO(001) surface. Based upon heat treatment and oxidation experiments the 2 eV structure is assigned to the electronic resonance of Cu(I) from the Cu deposit on the oxide matrix substrates. On the basis of the experiments the colour-center-related loss peaks, at 2.6 eV for MgO(001) and at 1.9 eV for ZnO(101̄0), are believed to be due to electronic resonance of a V⁻_s center, and the metal ion vacancies are suggested to be active centers which interact with the submonolayer copper deposits. Finally, the electronic energy loss spectra from the Cu-covered oxide surfaces are discussed in the framework of electronic band structures.