Formation of single-phase BaO nanoclusters

Combined analysis employing in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and ex-situ X-ray diffraction has demonstrated the feasibility to deposit single-phase barium oxide overlayers by a direct sublimation of BaO material from an effusion cell. Furthermore, in situ scanning tunneling microscopy has confirmed that the BaO grows as nanoclusters with dimensions down to ~ 2 nm.