Intermixing at Pb/Ge(111) and Pb/Ge(001) interfaces studied with electron-energy-loss spectroscopy

Abstract
In the present work, the interfacial reactions of the Pb/Ge(111) and Pb/Ge(001) systems are studied with electron-energy-loss spectroscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, and Auger electron spectroscopy. In contradiction to previously obtained results, we find that Pb intermixes strongly with Ge at the interfaces of both systems, forming a special intermixed interfacial phase, which is in every sense very similar to the intermixed interfacial phase reported very recently as existing at the interfaces of the Pb/Si(111) and Pb/Si(001) systems. Oxygen contamination may suppress the Pb-Ge intermixing completely. The same situation arises in Pb/Si systems.