Interactions between adsorbed Si dimers on Si(001)

Abstract
The interactions between adsorbed Si dimers on Si(001) have been studied using scanning tunneling microscopy. These interactions determine the formation of clusters from diffusing dimers. We show that by increasing the tip-sample voltage, we induce transitions between the clusters. These transitions are used to clarify the dimer-dimer interactions and to determine the pathway for the formation of multiple-dimer clusters. © 1996 The American Physical Society.