Positron diffraction study of SiC(0 0 0 1) surface

Surface structures of 6H SiC(0 0 0 1) after heat treatment in a UHV has been studied using reflection high-energy positron diffraction (RHEPD). After heat treatment at 900 8C, a typical interference effect of positron waves due to Si adatoms appears in the total reflection region of the rocking curve. The further heat treatment at 1100 8C results in surface graphitization. The rocking curve is well reproduced by theoretical calculation assuming the graphite monolayer on SiC substrate. The interlayer distance is fairly large (2.5–3.2 A ° ), which is comparable to that in the graphite monocrystal suggesting that the weak binding of the graphite monolayer to the SiC surface by the van der Waals force.