Incipient oxidation of magnesium: A high-resolution electron-energy-loss and photoemission study

Abstract

The initial stages of magnesium oxidation are investigated by high-resolution electron-energy-loss spectroscopy. Two species (magnesium oxide and chemisorbed oxygen) are simultaneously detected from their vibrational bands even for minimal oxygen exposures. The evolution of the surface oxide can be quantitatively described by dielectric theory using infrared optical constants deduced from measurements on MgO single crystals. The proposed oxidation model is confirmed by the Mg 2p electron-distribution curves obtained with synchrotron radiation.