Science, Vol.273, No.5272, 226-228, 1996
Formation of Atomically Flat Silver Films on GaAs with a Silver Mean Quasi-Periodicity
A flat epitaxial silver film on a gallium arsenide [GaAs(110)] surface was synthesized in a two-step process. Deposition of a critical thickness of silver at low temperature led to the formation of a dense nanocluster film. Upon annealing, all atoms rearranged themselves into an atomically flat film. This silver film has a close-packed (111) structure modulated by a "silver mean" quasi-periodic sequence. The ability to grow such epitaxial overlayers of metals on semiconductors enables the testing of theoretical models and provides a connection between metal and semiconductor technologies.
Keywords:SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPY;BY-LAYER GROWTH;GAP STATES;GAAS(110);AG;MORPHOLOGY;FIBONACCI;CLUSTERS;SURFACE;MODEL