X-ray photoelectron holography (XPH) is new tool in surface science capable to visualize in real space coordination of the atom of interest (emitter). To study surface phenomena the ultimate and variable (in the range of 1–5 ML) surface sensitivity is needed. Here we discuss possibilities to improve surface sensitivity of XPH by the example of Bi2Se3 (1 1 1) surface where different coordinations of the same kind of atoms are present in different layers. To reach ultimate surface sensitivity we used both lower electron kinetic energy and partial analysis of hologram related to grazing angle photoemission. Using calculations of diffraction patterns based on EDAC code and reverse reconstruction of the real space within SPEA-MEM formalism we evaluate the contribution of each atomic layer into diffraction pattern and found that the surface relaxation could be directly visualised at the kinetic energy less than 100 eV, whereas the contribution of the second quintuple layer can be vanished at 200 eV or below. The same effect can be achieved by partial analysis of hologram at grazing detection angles more than 55° to the surface normal. This approach enables broader practical applications of the XPH to various materials in applied surface science.

Original languageEnglish
Article number144531
Number of pages6
JournalApplied Surface Science
Volume505
Early online date6 Nov 2019
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2020

    Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Surfaces and Interfaces

    Research areas

  • Photoelectron holography, Surface structure, ATOMIC-STRUCTURE

ID: 53964899