The Sb adsorption process on the Si(111)–In(4 x 1) surface phase was studied at 200 to 400C. The formation of a Si(111)–InSb (2 x 2) structure was observed between 0.5 and 0.7ML of Sb. This reconstruction decomposed when the Sb coverage approached 1ML and Sb atoms rearranged to (√3 x √3) and (2 x 1) reconstructions. The released In atoms agglomerated into islands of irregular shape. During the phase transition from InSb(2 x 2) to Sb(√3 x √3) (Sb coverage >0.7ML), the formation of a metastable (4 x 2) structure was observed. Possible atomic arrangements of the InSb(2 x 2) and metastable (4 x 2) phases were considered.

Surface Structure Evolution during Sb Adsorption on Si(111)–In(4 x 1) Reconstruction. D.V.Gruznev, B.V.Rao, T.Tambo, C.Tatsuyama: Applied Surface Science, 2002, 190[1-4], 134-8