Using Dy 3d(3/2) XPS intensities and LEED, growth mode and film morphology of Dy on W(110) and W(100) were investigated. A laminar growth with well ordered film morphology was found for Dy on W(I 10). The growth of Dy on W(100) followed the Stranski-Krastanov mode. While no ordered structure was found for growth at RT growth, the epitaxial relations of Dy(0001)parallel toW(100) and Dy[11 (2) over bar0]parallel toW[010] were observed for growth at 470 K. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.