HREELS study of electron irradiation effects on ammonia adsorbed on the Ge (1 0 0) surface

The effect of electron irradiation of adsorbed layers of ammonia on the Ge (1 0 0) surface has been studied using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). We have con®rmed a previous observation that ammonia adsorbs molecularly on the Ge (1 0 0) surface. Electron irradiation results in dissociation of ammonia and desorption of hydrogen directly into the vacuum without deposition of hydrogen onto the surface. Formation of germanium nitride at 110 K was observed as a result of electron irradiation of adsorbed ammonia as evidenced by presence of a Ge±N stretch mode near 800 cmÿ1. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved