Si Binding and Nucleation on Si(100)

Abstract

Si adatoms deposited on Si(100)-( $2\times 1$) below $200{}^{\circ }$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 $\approx$ $120{}^{\circ }$C to metastable, dimerized lines assembled end to end, parallel to the substrate's dimer bonds.