Structure determination of Bi/Ge(111)- by dynamical low-energy electron diffraction analysis and scanning tunnelingmicroscopy

Abstract

We have determined the atomic structure of the Bi/Ge(111)- surface by dynamical low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) analysis and scanning tunnelingmicroscopy (STM). The optimized atomic structure consists of Bi atoms which are adsorbed nearthe T1 sites of the bulk-truncated Ge(111) surface and form triangular trimer units centered at theT4 sites. The atomically resolved STM image was consistent with the LEED result. Thestructural parameters agree well with those optimized by a first-principles calculationwhich supports the interpretation of the electronic band splitting on this surface in terms ofthe giant Rashba effect.