Abstract
The structural evolution of Fe monolayers deposited on a Pt(110) surface was investigated under ultra-high vacuum conditions using scanning tunneling microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, and Auger electron spectroscopy. A clean Pt(110) substrate exhibiting the characteristic (1×2) missing-row reconstruction was prepared by repeated cycles of argon ion sputtering, oxidation, and high-temperature annealing. Surface cleanliness and reconstruction were confirmed by Auger electron spectroscopy and low-energy electron diffraction, while scanning tunneling microscopy imaging revealed an anisotropic terrace–step morphology with atomic rows characteristic of the reconstructed Pt(110) surface. Fe monolayers were subsequently deposited on the clean substrate at room temperature by electron-beam evaporation. Auger electron spectroscopy measurements confirmed the presence of iron on the surface, together with minor carbon and oxygen contamination. Low-energy electron diffraction patterns recorded after Fe deposition showed a noticeable modification of the substrate diffraction features, indicating partial suppression of the original Pt(110)-(1×2) reconstruction. In addition, a sixfold diffraction feature observed at higher electron energy suggests the formation of an ordered overlayer or Moiré-type superstructure arising from the lattice mismatch between Fe and Pt(110). These results provide insight into the growth behavior and interface structure of Fe monolayers on reconstructed Pt(110), and establish a basis for future studies of iron oxide formation and redox transformations on this surface.