INITIAL-STAGES OF AG GROWTH ON SB-TERMINATED GAAS(001)

The initial stages of Ag growth on both Sb-modified and As-terminated GaAs(001) surfaces are investigated by reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and core-level photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). Sb atom segregation is detected on silver films grown on the Sb-modifi ed surfaces, while substrate atom segregation is not detected on As-te rminated surfaces. After thick silver growth, streaks perpendicular to the substrate are observed on the [($) over bar 110] RHEED pattern, w hich are not observed on the As-terminated surface. This suggests that surface flattening is induced by segregated Sb atoms bonding to silve r atoms.