To investigate the processes and kinetics during the initial nucleation in more detail, we exposed the surface to very small amounts of TDMAH at 400 K. After each pulse, we recorded an IR spectrum and referenced it against the background spectrum of the freshly prepared, pristine CoO(100). The corresponding set of spectra featuring the most prominent and characteristic bands is shown in Figure . The evolution of the integrated peak area for signals in the CH region and at around 1250 and 950 cm -1 is given in Figure .