Formation conditions and atomic structure of the Si(111)-√19 Ni surface

• Published in: Surface science Vol. 356; no. 1-3; pp. 53 - 58
• Main Authors: Parikh, S.A., Lee, M.Y., Bennett, P.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 10-06-1996; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Auger electron spectroscopy; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Exact sciences and technology; Low index single crystal surfaces; morphology, roughness, and topography; Nickel; Physics; Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED); Scanning tunneling microscopy; Silicon; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Surface structure; Surface structure and topography; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Scanning tunneling microscopy; morphology, roughness, and topography; Low index single crystal surfaces; Auger electron spectroscopy; Nickel; Silicon; Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED); Surface structure; Semiconductor materials; Transition elements; RHEED; Experimental study; Atomic structure; STM; AES
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/0039-6028(96)00029-5

We determined the formation conditions and atomic structure of the Si(111)-√19 Ni surface using Auger electron spectroscopy, reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The √19 phase can be produced by low temperature deposition followed by annealing and quenching from above 860°C. It tends to coexist with a variable density 1 × 1-RC (ring cluster) phase. The intrinsic coverage of the √19 phase alone is approximately 0.15 monolayers, corresponding to three Ni atoms per √19 unit cell. Deposition at 550°C suppresses the 1 × 1-RC phase and creates a well-ordered √19 phase in coexistence with Si 7 × 7. Deposition at 350°C produces silicide islands in a matrix of Si 7 × 7. From high resolution STM images we determined the lattice registration of the √19 phase and present a model for its atomic structure.