PREPARATION OF COBALT PLATINUM MULTILAYERS BY ELECTROCRYSTALLIZATION

Electrocrystallization of atomically controlled metallic multilayers has been discussed on the basis of a nucleation-growth mechanism and experimental observations. Monatomic steps on Pt single crystal surfaces have been directly imaged using a conventional transmission electron microscope in the reflection mode. With this reflection electron microscopy (REM) technique, the initial stages of Co electrocrystallization on Pt(111) surfaces have been studied under potential control. The REM images have revealed a layer by layer growth, strictly speaking, a simultaneous multinuclear multilayer growth of Co deposition in the range from submonolayer coverage up to some ten monolayers. Based on the observations of the surface morphology and the reflection electron diffraction from an REM study, the feasibility of electrocrystallization to produce Co/Pt multilayers with a comparable structure to those prepared by vapor-phase deposition techniques is discussed.