Theoretical studies of Sm/Si(1 1 1)–n × 1 (n = 5, 7) and Sm/Si(1 1 1)–(8 × 2) structures

In this study we employ a state-of-the-art pseudopotential method to perform local density of states (LDOS) calculations of n × 1 (n = 5, 7) and (8 × 2) reconstructions induced by the adsorption of rare-earth samarium (RE) in the submonolayer range. We conducted a full comparison between images from scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and theoretical LDOS. Images taken of both filled and empty states show the effects induced by honeycomb chains and Seiwatz chains. We conclude that LDOS calculations are consistent with the assignment of features observed experimentally by STM.