Electron microscopy study of Mn/Sb multilayered films with an artificial superstructure

Abstract
The structure of Mn/Sb multilayered films has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Plan views of an Sb(300 Å)/Mn(40 Å)/Sb(100 Å) sandwich film reveal the epitaxial growth of a NiAs-type intermetallic compound MnSb formed by the interfacial reaction. The orientational relationships between the MnSb and Sb layers are (00.1)MnSb||(00.1)Sb and 〈110〉MnSb||〈110〉Sb. The cross-sectional images of a [Mn(1 Å)/Sb(50 Å)]90 superlattice film reveal the periodic and coherent stacking of Sb layers and MnSb ‘monolayers'. MnSb ‘monolayers’ grow pseudo-morphologically between Sb layers. Fine structures of ‘monolayer’ MnSb are somewhat disordered; the layer thickness fluctuates in the range of one monolayer and atom layer steps are observed.