We investigated the atomic structure of Al layer on Si(001)-(2×1) surface using coaxial impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy (CAICISS). At the low coverage with room temperature (RT), it is confirmed that 0.5 monolayer (ML) Al ad-dimers are o...
We investigated the atomic structure of Al layer on Si(001)-(2×1) surface using coaxial impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy (CAICISS). At the low coverage with room temperature (RT), it is confirmed that 0.5 monolayer (ML) Al ad-dimers are oriented parallel to the underlying Si dimers at the position of centering valley bridge site.In order to investigate a change of structure of 0.5 ML Al on Si(001) after annealing process, the sample grown up to the coverage of 0.5 ML at RT was annealed at 350°С. After annealing process, we observed that the Al ad-dimers partially changed their orientation from para to ortho with relaxed Si dimer bonds. The para and ortho Al ad-dimers occupy the same adsorption site at the position of centering valley bridge site with a height of (1.02 ± 0.05) Å and (1.86 ± 0.05) Å from the first layer of Si substrate, respectively.With increasing coverage up to 1.0 ML, ortho Al ad-dimers become the new favorable configurations leading toward a para to ortho phase transition at 1 ML coverage. Our results explain the para and ortho Al ad-dimers are coexist on the Si(001) surface with no changed Si dimer at RT. In order to investigate a structure change induced by annealing process, the sample grown up to the coverage of 1.0 ML at RT was annealed at 350°С. After annealing process, we observed that the Al ad-dimers entirely changed their orientation from para to ortho with relaxed Si dimer bonds.Our results provide a new model - coexistence of para and ortho Al ad-dimers – for experimental observations and theoretical calculations