Step motion and As desorption on InAs(001) surfaces observed by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract
Step motion and As desorption on InAs(001) surfaces are directly observed by scanning tunneling microscopy at high temperatures. Stable (2×4) structures are observed even at temperatures high enough to cause the motion of monomolecular steps and kinks. At higher temperatures, domains with dark contrast (As-desorbed regions) are clearly observed. These results differ from those for GaAs surfaces and indicate strong lateral interaction in (2×4) structures on InAs.