LEED, AES, and STM study of an ideal Si 111/– 1=1/:H surface prepared by in situ atomic hydrogen exposure of the Pb induced 63=63/R308-b phase: first experimental evidence of a non reversible transformation

STM monitored topographical observations of the growth mode of Pb on a Si 111.surface passivated in situ by atomic hydrogen exposure using for the first time a group IV metal as intermediate adsorbate, are presented. A tri-dimensional growth mode of Volmer–Weber type is confirmed for the initial condensation phase of Pb atoms on the clean 1=1.:H unreconstructed surface. A non reversible transformation 63=63ª1=1ª7=7.is clearly evidenced on the basis of LEED and Auger results. q1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.