The initial states of the copper/alumina interface formation by copper vapour deposition were studied on two (00•1) α-alumina surfaces, with different crystallographic structures: primitive (1 x 1) and reconstructed (√31 x √31)R ± 9°. The surface phase transition corresponding to the latter surface structure led to a difference in the growth of copper clusters: on both surfaces, clustering occurred even for the lowest copper coverages, but the size of the clusters was larger on the reconstructed surface than on the primitive one.

Influence of the Al2O3(0001) Surface Reconstruction on the Cu/Al2O3 Interface. M.Gautier, J.P.Duraud, L.P.Van: Surface Science, 1991, 249[1-3], L327-32