The SnO2(110)(4 x 1) structure determined by LEED intensity analysis

The (4 x 1) reconstruction of the SnO2(110) surface has been determined by means of low energy electron diffraction (LEED) intensity analysis. The (4 x 1) reconstruction was obtained by annealing at 1000 K the ion bombarded SnO2(110) surface. The intensity versus accelerating voltage (I-V) curves measured for this surface were compared with calculations performed using the tensor LEED method. As a reference structure, we used the model proposed on the basis of the STM images obtained for the SnO2(110)(4 x 1) superstructure. This model consists of an ordered array of oxygen vacancies in the topmost mixed oxygen-tin layer. The results of the present analysis confirm the STM model. Moreover, we found a buckling in the first layer and lateral displacements of the atoms with respect to the ideal positions around the oxygen vacancies. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.