An adatom migration process passing through the SA step was studied in detail in the case of carbon atom migration on diamond (001) surfaces using the method of quantum theoretical calculations. It was concluded on (001) surfaces of diamond structure crystals that the adatom migration at the SA step easily occurred from the upper terrace to the lower one, but hardly takes place from the lower terrace to the upper one.

Adatom Migration Mechanism at SA Steps on (001) Surfaces of Diamond Structure Crystals. Tsuda, M., Hata, M., Shinno, Y., Oikawa, S.: Surface Science, 1996, 357-358, 844-8