Structure of epitaxial MgO layers on TiC(001) studied by time-of-flight impact-collision ion scattering spectroscopy

The atomic structure of magnesium oxide on the TiC(001) surface was investigated using time-of-flight impact-collision ion scattering spectroscopy. A hetero-epitaxial MgO layer was formed by thermal evaporation of magnesium onto the TiC(001) surface followed by exposure to oxygen at room temperature. From the time-of-flight spectrum which sees deeper layers from the top surface, it is found that the Mg and O atoms are located on the on-top site of the TiC(001) surface and the thickness of the MgO layer is restricted to two layers.