Structure and growth kinetics of the oxidation process of Fe(001) whisker surfaces over a 10-decade pressure range

Fe(001) surfaces of whiskers of good crystalline quality were oxidized in a pressure range from 10− 7 mbar to 1 bar at different temperatures. Epitaxial Fe3O4 and FeO thin films with negligible strain were grown depending on the oxidation temperatures. The kinetics of the oxide thickness growth was measured and compared with the predictions of the Fromhold-Cook theory for oxidation of metals. Some discrepancies were found and a possible explanation is presented.