Formation and coalescence of surface domains introduced by metal deposition on a Si(111) surface

• Published in: Surface science Vol. 619; pp. 25 - 29
• Main Authors: Chin, A.L., Chang, C.P., Pai, S.Y., Liu, I.M., Chern, G., Men, F.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 01.01.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Au/Si; Coalescing; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Control systems; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deposition; Exact sciences and technology; Gold; Optimization; Physics; STM; Strain relaxation; Surface patterning; Surface reconstruction; Surface stress; Terraces; Tuning; Au/Si; Surface reconstruction; Surface patterning; Surface stress; STM; Scanning tunneling microscopy; Patterning; Silicon; Coalescence; Surface stresses; Surface structure
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/j.susc.2013.10.003

By depositing sub-monolayer Au atoms onto a heated and slightly misaligned Si(111)-(7×7) surface, (5×2) stripes form on the upper step edges of terraces. Upon further heating, most of the terraces transform into either Au-free (7×7) terraces or fully reconstructed (5×2) terraces. By analyzing the distance distribution between neighboring (5×2) terraces, we have found the existence of an optimal distance between (5×2) terraces. This optimal distance, controllable via the Au coverage, can be explained by the minimization of long-range strain relaxation energy for a system consisted of alternating domains. The ability of tuning surface domain structure through metal deposition provides a new way of manipulating surface morphology in the nanometer-scale range. •The formation of a patterned structure with pre-determined periodicity.•A unique way of creating patterned structure via metal deposition.•The selective growth, i.e., the growth in designated regions, of nanostructures.•A simple model offered to explain the formation of patterned structure.