title: Atomic structure of a spinel-like transition Al2O3(100) surface.
abstract: We study a crystalline epitaxial alumina thin film with the characteristics of a spinel-type transition Al2O3(100) surface by using atom-resolved noncontact atomic force microscopy and density functional theory. It is shown that the films are terminated by an Al-O layer rich in Al vacancies, exhibiting a strong preference for surface hydroxyl group formation in two configurations. The transition alumina films are crystalline and perfectly stable in ambient atmospheres, a quality which is expected to open the door to new fundamental studies of the surfaces of transition aluminas.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Thomas N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kristoffer
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meinander
authors.affiliation: Haldor Topsøe A/S, Nymøllevej 55, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Stig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Helveg
authors.affiliation: COMP, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, Otakaari 1, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland.
authors.forename: Adam S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 692, FI-33010 Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Sampo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kulju
authors.affiliation: COMP, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, Otakaari 1, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Musso
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jeppe V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Lauritsen