Surface reconstructions in the Ag/Si(111) system.

The behavior of silver on the Si(111) surface has been studied as a function of overlayer coverage and deposition conditions using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and lonu-energy electron diffraction. We examine how the different roles of Ag coverage and thermal annealing history determine surface ordering phenomena and atomic structure in this system. A growth phase diagram based on STM observations is presented. This diagram contains the well-known √3×√3 and 3×1 reconstructions, as well as a phase characterized by 5×2 periodicity. Possible surface atomic arrangements for each phase are discussed based on the STM observations