Core level spectroscopy and RHEED analysis of KGd<Subscript>0.95</Subscript> Nd<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> surface

A study of the surface structure and electronic properties of (010) KGd<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Nd<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>(WO<Subscript>4 </Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> (Nd:KGW) using RHEED analysis and XPS is presented. It is shown that Nd doping has a negligible effect on the core levels of the basic elements. A bombardment of the Nd:KGW crystal with 3-keV Ar ions results in surface amorphization accompanied by the generation of tungsten ions in lower valence states. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 2006