ATOMIC MOTION ON THE CDTE(001) SURFACE OBSERVED WITH SCANNING-TUNNELING-MICROSCOPY

The mixed (2 X 1) and c(2 X 2) phase of CdTe(001) has been studied usi ng scanning tunneling microscopy. Atomically resolved images of both r econstructions are compatible with a structural model in which each su rface unit cell contains a single twofold-coordinated Cd atom. Even at room temperature changes in the positions of the atoms on the CdTe(00 1) terraces were observed which can be best described as collective ad atom row shifts. The measurements indicate that the surface atoms are particularly mobile near step edges. Defending on the tunneling parame ters the mobility of the surface atoms can be increased and permanent changes in the surface morphology can be induced.