Quasi one-dimensional lead ribbons on the Si(110) surface

Abstract The crystallographic structure of quasi one-dimensional lead ribbons prepared on Si(110) surface is investigated with reflection high energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy. Deposition of 2.6 monolayers of lead with subsequent annealing at 260 °C results in the formation of anisotropic metallic structures ordered over macroscopic area. The lead ribbons grow along [ 1 ¯ 10 ] which is a unique direction for this surface and form a single domain system contrary to pristine Si(110)-(16 × 2) or (7 × 2)-Pb reconstructions that extend along equivalent 〈 11 2 ¯ 〉 directions. Diffraction and STM experiments reveal the 16.3 A periodicity along the [001] direction and multilevel structure of the ribbons.