Surface morphology of Au-adsorbed Si(001) vicinal surfaces studied by reflection electron microscopy

Surface morphology after Au-adsorption-induced faceting on a 4 degrees off Si(001) vicinal surface was studied by reflection electron microscopy. The surface morphology changes as a function of temperature (780-940 degrees C) and of deposition rate of Au. Steeper facets are formed at a lower tempera ture and a higher deposition rate: The kinetics and energetics in the syste m govern the surface morphology (facet orientation) and later become domina nt at high temperature. The transition between the step bands and facets wa s also observed and it was found that the (119)-Au facet is stable at 920 d egrees C. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.