Si(111) 7 × 7 domain boundaries on vicinal surfaces

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy is used to investigate how domain boundaries on Si(111)7 × 7 are affected by step configuration. For making the configuration of step change, we prepare surfaces having misorientation different from (111). On the one surface misoriented towards [ 1 10], steps run in a zig-zag pattern, which causes terraces to be constricted. On every constricted site, a domain boundary exists. On the other surface misoriented towards [11 2 ], steps run parallel and consist of several atomic layers. Domain boundaries on this surface run in a zig-zag pattern. Discussion is focused on surface energy of the stepped surface containing domain boundaries.