Reconstruction of steps on the Si(111)2×1 surface

Abstract

The structure of steps on cleaved silicon (111) surfaces is studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. Predominantly [21\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}1\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}] oriented steps are observed. Ordered regions of individual steps have unit periodicity along the step edge. A \ensuremath{\pi}-bonded reconstruction of the step edge is deduced from the images.