Theoretical STM images of Ge monomers and trimers on Si(100)

Abstract

We study, through first principles calculations based on the density functional theory, the adsorption of Ge structures on the Si(100) surface. We calculate a variety of STM images of monomers and trimers, and we show that when the monomers are isolated they can be seen in both empty and filled-state images, whereas when they are adsorbed close to other structures, as in the trimers, they are almost invisible to filled-state images.