Silver atom interaction on β-SiC(100) surface reconstructions was investigated by means of atom-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy. On the 3x2 (Si-rich) reconstruction, the adsorbate-adsorbate interaction was predominant, with no surface wetting, leading to Ag-cluster formation. On the c(4x2) Si-terminated reconstruction, almost equivalent Ag-Ag and Ag-surface interactions permitted selective 1-dimensional nano-object formation; including Ag atomic wires and stripes following the substrate registry. Their orientation was mediated by anisotropic Ag-atom diffusion which occurred along Si-dimer rows at 25C, and perpendicularly to them at high temperatures; suggesting dimer flipping as diffusion barrier.

Selective Silver Atom Interaction at β-SiC(100) Surfaces - from Anisotropic Diffusion to Metal Atomic Wires and Stripes. M.D’Angelo, V.Y.Aristov, P.Soukiassian: Physical Review B, 2007, 76[4], 045304 (5pp)