Atomic structure of the ()R30° of silicene on Ag(111) surface

The deposition of one monolayer of silicon on a Ag(lll) substrate induces the formation of silicene structures exhibiting different ordered phases, including a ()R30°, a (4×4) and a ()R13.9° superstructures. In tms paper we focus on the ()R30° phase. Using a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy and LEED observations, we show that this phase corresponds to a 11° rotation of the silicene sheet relative to the substrate orientation.