Hh. Weitering et al., STRUCTURAL MODEL FOR THE METAL-INDUCED SI(111)3X1 RECONSTRUCTION, Physical review. B, Condensed matter, 49(23), 1994, pp. 16837-16840
We present a structural model for the metal-induced Si(111)3 x 1 recon
struction. Fivefold Si rings form one-dimensional pi-bonded chains alo
ng [110BAR]. These chains are separated by empty channels that can acc
ommodate 1/3 monolayer of metal atoms. We propose that pi-bonded chain
s undergo a strong disturbance resulting in the formation of alternati
ng dimers consistent with published scanning tunneling microscope imag
es [K.J. Wan et al., Phys. Rev. B 46, 13635 (1992)]. Unlike previous m
odels, this model accounts for most experimental observations, includi
ng a large band gap and chemical passivation.