THIN OXIDE FILM GROWTH ON FE(100)

The process or oxide formation at various temperatures in the range 25-300-degrees-C on a well defined Fe(100) surface up to oxide thicknesses of 4 nm has been investigated using nuclear and electronic spectroscopies and ellipsometry. The conditions for the applicability of the oxidation theory of Fromhold and Cook are met and this theory is compared to the data. The several stages with their rate limiting steps are identified. In the regime where the oxidation rate is governed by the thermionic emission current across the metal-oxide interface the oxidation process is described in a quantitatively adequate manner.