Abstract

Surface vibrational spectroscopy is performed on single-crystal surfaces of sapphire using a pulsed optoacoustic technique. The IR absorptions of submonolayer coverages of adsorbates containing C–H and O–H bonds can be monitored directly. We have applied this spectroscopic tool to the study of chemical interactions between adsorbed water and organometallic vapors such as trimethylaluminum (TMA) and dimethyl cadmium. The photochemical behavior of the resulting organometallic adsorbates can then be studied at a microscopic level.

© 1985 Optical Society of America