Gold-induced facetting of Si(111)

Coverage-dependent faceting of Au chains on Si(557)

“…This differs from our previous estimate of two Au chains per unit cell and greatly narrows the range of other published coverage estimates of 2-4 chains per unit cell. 12,27,28,33,35,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] A similar analysis for the Si͑553͒-Au surface yields a coverage of 2.1Ϯ 0.4 chains per unit cell, which is again higher than previously estimated but consistent with the coverage of two Au chains per unit cell obtained from x-ray diffraction. 46 In light of this coverage determination, most of the published structural models for Si͑553͒-Au and Si͑111͒ 5 ϫ 2-Au will require revision to accommodate an additional gold chain.…”

Au island growth on a Si(111) vicinal surface

“…1) is still observed after Au adsorption at 255-430°C, the temperature range investigated in this work. Indeed, Au-induced step bunching is only expected above 650°C [20,21]. With all the droplets located on the step bunches, the mean distance between them in the direction perpendicular to the steps is linked to the period of the step array (i.e., to the mean terrace width).…”

Generation of planar defects caused by the surface diffusion of Au atoms on SiNWs

“…To understand the role of Au diffusion along the sidewall of the wire, we examined the interaction of Au when it is in contact with Si. According to reported results, an Au layer with a thickness of 0.5-1 ML induces the formation of high-Miller-index facets [22]. In addition, a metal such as Au, when in contact with Si, weakens the strong covalent bonding of Si atoms in a metastable Si/Au alloyed metallic phase.…”