The formation of Si(1 1 1)5 × 2-Au single-domain surface phase by a surface diffusion

Abstract Using low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and the four-point probe method for measurements of electrical conductivity in situ the formation of the single-domain Si(1 1 1)5 × 2–Au surface phase has been studied. This surface phase is formed by surface diffusion of gold atoms from a gold strip with thickness of about 10 monolayers. The changes in surface conductivity for Si(1 1 1)5 × 2–Au single-domain surface phase are evaluated in comparison with the Si(1 1 1)5 × 2–Au three-domain surface phase formed by deposition of 0.5 monolayers of Au and subsequent annealing.