A new model of Si(113) was presented which was based upon the then-novel idea of a sub-surface self-interstitial. Guided by scanning tunnelling microscopy measurements and ab initio calculations, a structure was found which was stable, reproduced scanning tunnelling microscopic images and allowed for the observed transitions between 3 x 2 and 3 x 1 phases. It was shown that a careful energy optimization of atomic positions was required for a reliable interpretation of scanning tunnelling microscopic images.

A Novel Surface Reconstruction - Sub-Surface Interstitials Stabilize Si(113)3 x 2. J.Dabrowski, H.J.Müssig, G.Wolff: Surface Science, 1995, 331-333[2], 1022-7