STM STUDY OF VICINAL STRUCTURES ON AU(100)

We present STM observations of ''magic'' vicinal areas on a Au(100) sa mple. The surface displays the well-known quasihexagonal reconstructio n on flat (100) as well as on vicinal regions. In these regions, it is observed that the terrace widths are strongly related to the reconstr uction period. In addition, the steps present diatomic kinks periodica lly situated about every 50 angstrom. An atomic model, accounting for these observations is presented. It is consistent with most of the pub lished results, though offering a new explanation for the measured ter race widths.