Microroughness of wet-chemically prepared Si(001) surfaces was measure
d in an atomic scale by ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy
(UHV-STM). On the surface treated by 2.5%-HF solution (pH = 2), the r
oot mean square (rms) value for the surface roughness was about 1.4 An
gstrom, whose surface exhibited the unclear steplike structure of Si(0
01) surface. On the other hand, the STM images on the surface treated
by HF:HCl = 1:19 solution (pH < 1) under the controlled removal of the
oxide layer, the SRM image exhibited clear step structure without etc
h pits, and the rms value for the surface roughness is the same as tha
t of the 2.5% HF treated sample.