Probe effect in scanning tunneling microscopy onSi(001)low-temperature phases

Abstract

The probe effect, the effect of parameters in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurement, on the Si͑100͒ surface with two competing phases in delicate balance, was investigated systematically by reexamining its influence on the Si͑100͒ dimer flip-flop motions at 5 and 80 K. On the basis of the results, the complex array of the phenomena of the Si͑100͒ surface structures was comprehended. The phase transition between c͑4 ϫ 2͒ and p͑2 ϫ 2͒ structures below ϳ40 K was studied by STM, as well as by low-energy electron diffraction, and the appearance of the p͑2 ϫ 2͒ structure at a reduced probe effect was confirmed. In these investigations, a phase with long-range ordering of the c͑4 ϫ 2͒ and p͑2 ϫ 2͒ structures was observed.

The tip role on STM images of Ag/Si(111)√3 × √3

“…Another factor that may affect STM measurements is a tip-surface interaction. Such a probe effect previously has been reported on the Si(100) surface [17,18]. We found that the obtained images to a large extent depended on what kind of atoms on the apex of the STM tip.…”

Model potential of dimer system and coherence length of electron injected by scanning tunneling microscope on Ge(001) surface

“…The phase transformation between c(4 Â 2) and p(2 Â 2) structures on the Si(0 0 1) substrates at low temperatures under STM observation has been reported [32,[42][43][44]. Our theoretical investigation [45] shows that the torque applied by the additional surface electric field on the Si(0 0 1) substrates induced by STM causes the transformation.…”

Electronic coupling between Bi nanolines and the Si(001) substrate: An experimental and theoretical study

“…In this regard, the Bi nanolines represent a very intriguing system, since their electronic properties could be altered by simply changing the reconstruction of the Si background, which could be triggered by temperature changes [25], manipulated by a scanning probe tip [30][31][32], or by hydrogenation, as demonstrated by our simulations above. Bi nanolines themselves are very stable against changes in temperature (up to 750 K), whereas the Si surface is very sensitive, and experiences a phase transition from p(2 × 2) to c(4 × 2) at low temperatures.…”