Partially embedded Pb chains on a vicinal Si(113) surface

Abstract

Partially embedded Pb chains are synthesized on a vicinal Si(113) surface in a process of self-organization. The deposition of one monolayer-range amount of Pb orders the substrate over the macroscopic scale and results in extremely long monatomic chains reproducing Si lattice geometry, as demonstrated by reflection high-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy. Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy reveals well-developed one-dimensional metallic bands. Ab initio density functional theory calculations fully support the experimental findings and predict partially embedded zigzag Pb chains with substantially spin-orbit-split one-dimensional electron bands. The present work is experimental evidence of a new type of one-dimensional structures in which one of two chains of atoms building the structure is embedded in the substrate.