Nitrogen-induced reconstruction of Cu(110): Formation of a surface nitride

Using the techniques of LEED, TDS and HREELS, we have studied the adsorption of atomic nitrogen on Cu(110). We find that the nitrogen overlayer exhibits a very sharp and stable (2×3) LEED pattern and unusual thermal desorption behavior. We interpret these results as indicating a nitrogen-induced reconstruction of the Cu(110) surface. Our HREELS measurements allow us to assign the binding sites of the nitrogen atoms to the long bridge sites on the surface. Similarities to bulk copper nitride, Cu3N, suggest that the adsorption and surface reconstruction of N/Cu(110) can be regarded as the formation of a surface copper nitride.