Atomic geometry of the Ge(1 1 0)c(8 × 10) structure

A new structural model for the Ge(1 1 0)c(8 × 10) structure was proposed in the present work, based on STM images experimentally obtained, and relaxed together with another model previously presented by Gai et al., using an ab initio molecular dynamics program FHI98md. STM images simulated from electronic structure of our relaxed model could well explain features of experimental STM images in contrast to STM images from relaxed Gai model. This shows that our model is better and five-membered clusters of Ge adatoms play central role as building blocks. Some discussion is presented on the atomic geometry of the c(8 × 10) structure and its domain boundary.