Carbon induced (√3×√3)R30° reconstruction on Ge(1 1 1) and its transition to (1 × 1)

Carbon adsorbate-induced (√3×√3)R30° reconstruction has been observed on the Ge(1 1 1) surface by reflection high-energy electron diffraction and Auger spectroscopy. The superlattice evolves in a continuous fashion to a (1 × 1) structure in a phase transition with a critical temperature Tc∼1040 K; a temperature very close to the well-known high-temperature phase transition on clean Ge(1 1 1). The temperature dependence of the superlattice diffraction intensity near Tc is investigated.