Chemical composition, core-level line shape, and electron affinity mea
surements are performed on the Se-terminated (2X1) and Zn-terminated c
(2X2) ZnSe(100) surfaces. The (2X1) reconstruction corresponds to a c
omplete monolayer of Se dimers with one filled dangling bond per surfa
ce atom. The c(2X2) reconstruction corresponds to a half-monolayer vac
ancy structure which leaves twofold-coordinated Zn atoms in the top la
yer. The 150-meV decrease in surface electron affinity at the (2X1)-->
c(2X2) transition is consistent with this model and results from a dip
ole induced by the charge transfer required to empty and fill all cati
on and anion dangling bonds on the c (2 X 2) surface, respectively.