Scanning tunneling microscopy at multiple voltage biases of stable "ring-like" Ag clusters on Si(111)-(7$\times$7)

TL;DR

This study uses voltage-dependent STM to investigate the atomic structure and electronic properties of stable 'ring-like' silver clusters on Si(111)-(7x7), proposing an atomic arrangement based on experimental and structural modeling.

Contribution

It introduces a new atomic model for stable Ag 'ring-like' clusters on Si(111)-(7x7) derived from STM measurements and structural analysis.

Findings

Identified electronic properties linked to atomic structure

Proposed atomic arrangement for two stable Ag clusters

Enhanced understanding of Ag cluster stability on Si(111)-(7x7)

Abstract

Since more than twenty years it is known that deposition of Ag onto Si(111)-(7\times7) leads under certain conditions to the formation of so-called "ring-like" clusters, that are particularly stable among small clusters. In order to resolve their still unknown atomic structure, we performed voltage dependent scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements providing interesting information about the electronic properties of clusters which are linked with their atomic structure. Based on a structural model of Au cluster on Si(111)-(7\times7) and our STM images, we propose an atomic arrangement for the two most stable Ag "ring-like" clusters.