Photo-emission experiments on the Si(553)–Au reconstruction revealed a 1-dimensional band with a peculiar ≈¼ filling. This band could provide an opportunity for observing large spin–charge separation if electron–electron interactions could be increased. To this end, it was necessary to understand the origin of this surface band. A first step was the determination of the structure of the reconstruction. A study was made here of several structural models using first-principles density functional calculations. The models were based upon a plausible analogy with the similar, and better-known, Si(557)–Au surface and were compared with the only structure then so far proposed for the Si(553)–Au system.

Structural Models for Si(553)–Au Atomic Chain Reconstruction. S.Riikonen, D.Sánchez-Portal: Nanotechnology, 2005, 16[5], S218-23