Link between local iron coordination, Fe 2p XPS core level line shape and Mg segregation into thin magnetite films grown on MgO(001)

Abstract

A well ordered Fe(001) ultra thin film epitaxially grown on MgO(001) has been oxidized by post deposition annealing in oxygen atmosphere. LEED patterns indicate the formation of magnetite (Fe$_3$O$_4$) after one hour of oxygen exposure. The LEED pattern remains stable despite annealing the sample for further four hours. In contrast X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) of the Fe $2p$ core levels suggests the formation of an iron oxide comprising mostly of merely trivalent iron. This discrepancy is analyzed and discussed employing charge transfer multiplet calculations for the Fe $2p$ XPS spectra. We find that Mg ion segregation from the substrate into the magnetite thin film replacing octahedrally coordinated Fe$^{2+}$ ions and the excess occupation of octahedral sites which are unoccupied in the ideal inverse spinel structure are driving forces for the altered shape of the Fe $2p$ XPS spectra. Different potential models which might explain the nature of the Mg ion segregation into the magnetite films are discussed.