Sequential segregation of Sn and Sb in a Cu(111) single crystal

The sequential segregation of Sn and Sb to the surface of a Cu(111) single crystal was measured in the temperature range 400–1100 K by Auger electron spectroscopy. It was found that Sn with the higher diffusion coefficient first segregates to the surface and then is replaced by the slower‐segregating Sb. The results were fitted by a ternary segregation model yielding segregation energies (ΔG_Sn = 76.3 kJ mol^?1, ΔG_Sb = 95.9 kJ mol^?1), interaction parameters (Ω_SnCu = 3.8 kJ mol^?1, Ω_SbCu = 16.2 kJ mol^?1, Ω_SnSb = ?5.3 kJ mol^?1) and diffusion coefficients (D_0(Sn) = 1.8 × 10^?5 m² s^?1, E_Sn = 173 kJ mol^?1, D_0(Sb) = 6.0 × 10^?5 m² s^?1, E_Sb = 205 kJ mol^?1) for both species. The validity of the interaction coefficients and segregation energies was verified using the Guttman equations for equilibrium segregation in ternary systems. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.