Pairs of Si atomic lines self-assembling on the β-SiC(100) surface: an 8×2 reconstruction

Abstract

We investigate the transition between β-SiC(100) surface reconstructions using scanning tunneling microscopy (filled and empty electronic states). We find the unexpected formation of Si-dimer lines that are self-assembled by pairs with a long-range order resulting in an even 8×2 surface reconstruction. This very uncommon surface ordering results in the combination of alternating periodic 3×2 and 5×2 unit cells. In contrast to the β-SiC(100)3×2 surface reconstruction, the Si-dimers are symmetric. Such atomic line pairs provide a novel type of one dimensional sub-nanostructure potentially having interesting characteristics.