The structure of magnesium, zinc and aluminium films

Abstract

In connection with investigations now in progress in these laboratories, on the cathodic and heterogeneous catalytic combustion of gases and on the electrical condition of metals, the need has arisen for a knowledge of the nature of the structure of certain metal films, whether obtained by cathodic sputtering or by thermal evaporation and subsequent condensation. It has previously been found by spectrographic means that metal sputtered into the cathode zone of a cold-cathode high-tension arc appears therein, at least in part, in the atomic state; but the results do not enable it to be inferred that aggregates of the atoms are not likewise present. A further important question arising out of the results of our investigations required for its solution the preparation of oxygen-free metal surfaces and their subsequent examination in the absence of oxygen.