Abstract
Amorphous surface oxides of III–V semiconductors are harmful in many contexts of device development. Using low-energy electron diffraction and photoelectron spectroscopy, we demonstrate that surface oxides formed at Sn-capped GaAs(100) and InAs(100) surfaces in air are effectively removed by heating. This Sn-mediated oxide desorption procedure results in the initial well-defined Sn-stabilized (1×2) surface even for samples exposed to air for a prolonged time. Based on ab initio calculations we propose that the phenomenon is due to indirect and direct effects of Sn. The Sn-induced surface composition weakens oxygen adsorption.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 231908 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 98 |
Issue number | 23 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- ab initio calculations
- adsorption
- amorphous state
- catalysts
- desorption
- heat treatment
- low energy electron diffraction
- metallic thin films
- photoelectron spectra
- surface composition
- tin