A series of reconstructed high-index surfaces, for which the angle with respect to the [111] to [1¯10] direction ranged from 10 to 35º, were systematically studied by means of ultra-high vacuum scanning tunnelling microscopy. Reconstruction of (12, 2, 7), at an angle of 30º, was described in detail. Fourier transforms revealed a (2 x 2) structure of the terrace, the splitting lattice on the step wall, and diffuse streaks from the kinks. The results were compared with other high-index surfaces, for other angles. The reconstructed terrace structures were separated into 2 groups by a boundary between 20 and 25º. A notable characteristic pattern of the high-index surfaces was found with regard to the reconstructed step wall structures. That is, they were composed of several splitting lattices. The degree of splitting proved to be proportional to the effective dangling bond density. Diffuse streaks from the kinks were also commonly observed.

Reconstructed (12, 2, 7)Si Surface Structure Observed by Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy T.Kawamura, T.Kanzawa, S.Kojima, G.A.Rozgonyi: Journal of Applied Physics, 2000, 87[2], 711-6