Ge(111)3 × 1:KSn; on the influence of tin substitution in a metal induced 3 × 1 reconstruction

Co-adsorption of tin and potassium is found to induce a 3 × 1 reconstruction on the Ge(111) surface. A very small amount of tin influences the Ge 3d core level spectra substantially compared to the Ge(111)3 × 1:K reconstruction. This is interpreted as resulting from a relaxation of the strain in the rows Ge atoms running along the surface, as proposed for this structure.