The effect of the STM tip on Si(100) reconstructed surfaces

We present a theoretical study of the effects of the STM tip on the geometry of Si(100) reconstructed surfaces. The energy barrier to switching between different reconstructions is also discussed. We use a molecular dynamics method and self-consistent forces to simulate the time-dependent behaviour...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ramos, Marta M. D. (author)
Other Authors: Stoneham, A. M. (author), Sutton, A. P. (author)
Format: article
Language:eng
Published: 1993
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1822/3435
Country:Portugal
Oai:oai:repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt:1822/3435
Description
Summary:We present a theoretical study of the effects of the STM tip on the geometry of Si(100) reconstructed surfaces. The energy barrier to switching between different reconstructions is also discussed. We use a molecular dynamics method and self-consistent forces to simulate the time-dependent behaviour of the surface atoms. The molecular orbital calculations are performed at the CNDO level using a cluster model. Our results indicate significant differences for positively and negatively biased tips. The thermally induced rocking of surface dimers is inhibited by the application of a positive bias to the tip and it is promoted by a negative bias. These bias-dependent effects may offer a plausible explanation for the bias dependence of STM images of this surface.