Atomic motion on the CdTe(001) surface observed with scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract The mixed (2 × 1) and c(2 × 2) phase of CdTe(001) has been studied using scanning tunneling microscopy. Atomically resolved images of both reconstructions are compatible with a structural model in which each surface unit cell contains a single twofold-coordinated Cd atom. Even at room temperature changes in the positions of the atoms on the CdTe(001) terraces were observed which can be best described as collective adatom row shifts. The measurements indicate that the surface atoms are particularly mobile near step edges. Depending on the tunneling parameters the mobility of the surface atoms can be increased and permanent changes in the surface morphology can be induced.