We have investigated the surface structure of Cu(111) vicinal surfaces
with (111)- and (100)-steps using scanning tunneling microscopy and s
canning electron microscopy, While the vicinal surface with (100)-step
s displays the expected typical step arrays after ultra-high vacuum (U
HV) preparation, the surface with (111)-steps becomes macroscopically
rough. Scanning tunneling microscope (STM) images of this surface reve
al the presence of {212} racers and triangular tiling structures with
a {445} mean orientation. The {212} facets consist of (111) double ste
ps and (111) terraces. The triangular tiling structure consists of tri
angular shaped (111) terraces which are separated by straight (100) an
d zigzag shaped (111)-steps in alternate sequence. It is proposed that
the observed structures represent local minima in the free energy of
the surface which are more easily accessible than the true equilibrium
structure under the kinetic constraints of a large Schwoebel-Ehrlich
barrier. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.