We determine 3d surface core-level shifts (SCLS) for clean and Se-depo
sited GaAs(110) surfaces by means of ab initio pseudopotential calcula
tions. The experimental findings for the clean GaAs(110) surface can b
e described within the initial-state picture. If relaxation effects ar
e taken into account we find a distinct overestimation of the SCLS for
both As and Ga. We conclude that final-state effects play only a mino
r role due to the dynamics of the photoemission process for the GaAs(1
10) surface. The validity of the initial-state picture for III-V(110)
surfaces is further corroborated by calculations on InP and GaP. In or
der to clarify the surface chemistry of the Se/GaAs(110) interface we
calculate the 3d core level shifts of Ga, As and Se for four structura
l models of an exchange-reacted GaAs(110) surface. Only one of these m
odels gives rise to a reasonable agreement between calculated and meas
ured shifts. Our calculations support a geometry where each surface As
atom is substituted by Se and one further Se binds to the surface Ga
atom.