Basic structure of the kinked monatomic steps on the Si(001) surface

The atomic structure of monatomic steps on Si(001) is investigated with scanning tunneling microscopy. On the upper terrace of the S-B step the existence of kinks induces a local p(2X2) structure with the direction to the center of the step. The structure of the S-B step is correlated to that of the S-A step through the kinks and is determined by the boundary conditions imposed by the S-A step. The atomic structure of the steps is also correlated with the zigzag buckling along the dimer row of the lower terrace through the subsurface interaction. The formation of various structures observed near the steps is explained by the simple geometric rule based on the bonding characteristics. [S0163-1829(98)01216-8].