SI BINDING AND NUCLEATION ON SI(100)

Si adatoms deposited on Si(100)- (2×1) below 200 C assume metastable binding configurations, each distinct from the dimer string topology ordinarily observed following deposition at higher temperatures. Isolated ad-dimers which nucleate predominantly on substrate dimer rows at room temperature do not constitute the precursors for dimer strings. Instead, they transform upon annealing at 120 C to metastable, dimerized lines assembled end to end, parallel to the substrate's dimer bonds. © 1995 The American Physical Society.