Geometric and electronic structure of Cu on corundum (0001) surfaces

In recent years, we have been focused the attention on the metal growth on (0001) surfaces of dimetal trioxide, M2O3 (M=Al, Cr, V and Fe), with corundum structure including ordered films and single crystals. The surface geometric and electronic structure of Cu on M2O3(0001) has been studied by use of various ultra high vacuum surface analysis techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. This brief review paper shows the main results and highlights that the surface symmetry and chemical interaction between deposit and substrate play an important role in Cu epitaxial growth on M2O3 (0001).