Dynamic Observation of Ag Desorption Process on Si(111) Surface by High-Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Abstract
The dynamical isothermal desorption process of Ag adsorbed on a Si(111) surface kept at about 600°C was observed by means of high-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (HT-STM). The desorption of Ag caused a transition from the √3×√3-Ag phase to the 3×1-Ag phase having a lower Ag coverage, followed by another transition to the 7×7 phase. In the respective phase transitions, the produced phases extended from steps and domain boundaries. The number of Si atoms moved is discussed for the case of the phase transition from the 3×1-Ag structure to the 7×7 structure.