Structure of the Te/Ge(0 0 1) surface studied by SPA-LEED

The tellurium ad- and de-sorption on the Ge(0 0 1) surface have been studied using high-resolution low energy electron diffraction and reflection high-energy electron diffraction. Upon adsorption of one monolayer of Te at 280 °C a streaky (2 × 1) reconstruction occurs, which can be explained by a missing-row model. Upon annealing the surface transforms to a c(2 × 2)-(2 × 1) mixed reconstruction. A splitting of the superstructure spots was found which indicates an ordered arrangement of strip-like domains on the surface. We address the question of both the atomic and the domain structure of the Te-adlayer prior to desorption and present a model for the entire desorption process. Furthermore, a (1 1 3)-faceting of the (0 0 1) surface which occurs upon Te-adsorption at a higher substrate temperature (380 °C) was investigated.