Scattering of Low-Energy Electrons from Rare-Gas Crystals Grown on the (100) Face of Nb. I. Electron Diffraction and Desorption

Using low-energy-electron diffraction, we have studied the morphology of thin crystals of the inert gases, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon, which were grown epitaxially on a single-crystal niobium substrate. Neon, argon, and krypton showed marked desorption in the presence of the electron beam even under conditions where it was possible to maintain these crystals indefinitely in the absence of the electron beam. Possible desorption mechanisms are discussed.