Structure of the cleaved CaCO3 (10(1)over-bar4) surface in an aqueous environment

The surface structure of the cleaved (10 (1) over bar 4) face of calcite single crystal in an aqueous environment has been studied using atomic force microscopy. Force images acquired under different solutions and forces show structures consistent with only slight relaxation of the structure of the terminated bulk crystal. Atomic scale images are interpreted in terms of the 1 x 1 symmetry from the top-lying surface oxygen atoms. A variation of atomic corrugations within the surface unit cell suggests different relaxations of carbonate groups on the surface.