Self-assembled Sn nanoplatelets on Si(111)-2 root 3 x 2 root 3-Sn surfaces

Room temperature growth of Sn on Sn-induced Si(1 1 1)-2 root 3 x 2 root 3 surfaces is investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. On the Si(1 1 1)-2 root 3 x 2 root 3-Sn surfaces, uniform arrays of hexagonal Sn nanoplatelets with narrow lateral size distribution are obtained. The experimental data show that the preferred lateral island size varies with Sn coverage. This variation can be explained in terms of island-island interactions. As a result of quantum size effects, the Sn islands exhibit preferred heights.