Structure of epitaxial Fe films on MgO(100)

We investigated the epitaxial growth of bcc Fe on MgO(100) using STM and LEED as a function of growth temperature. We found the island size and shape to vary with the deposition temperature and post-deposition annealing. Relatively smooth island surfaces can be obtained by deposition around 160 degrees C, however, the island heights distribution is rather irregular then. The rms roughness is lowest for deposition at 110 degrees C. At fewer deposition temperatures the islands become mon round-shaped, likely due to a reduction of step edge diffusion. Post-deposition annealing to temperatures around 210 degrees C increases the overall variation of the island height distribution.