Surface alloy formation in Pd/Ag, Cu/Au and Ni/Au bimetallic overlayers

X-ray and UV photoemission along with Auger spectroscopic studies show the formation of surface alloys in the Pd/Ag and Cu/Au overlayers on polycrystalline substrates. Surface alloy formation also occurs in the Ni/Au overlayers although Au and Ni do not form bulk alloys over the entire range of compositions.