In situ x-ray scattering study of Ag(110) nanostructuring by ion erosion -: art. no. 153406

The time evolution of the morphology of the Ag(110) surface during ion sputtering has been studied in situ and in real time by x-ray based techniques. The surface was bombarded with Ar+ ions at an energy of 1 keV in the temperature range 100-320 K. Grazing-incidence x-ray scattering measurements have been carried out in order to characterize the shape and the time evolution of the regular structures (mounds or ripples) created on the surface. The results show that the periodicity (i.e., the average separation between features) increases as function of the sputtering time, following a power-law behavior. Moreover, the slope of the mounds/ripples depends on temperature, ranging between 6 and 12degrees if measured along the [1 -1 0] direction and between 8 and 10degrees along [0 0 1].