Structure of the Ag on Si(111) 7 × 7 interface by means of surface exafs

Polarization dependent surface extended X-ray absorption fine structure (SEXAFS) measurements are used to determine the structure of the Ag on Si(111)7 × 7 system at the early stages (< 3 monolayers (ML)) of interface formation. At room temperature (RT) Ag is found to initially (< 0.5 ML) chemisorb in the threefold hollow site, approximately 0.7 Å above the outermost Si layer with an average Ag-Si distance of 2.48±0.05 Å. Above monolayer coverage the SEXAFS spectrum is dominated by the Ag-Ag distance indicating Ag island formation on the surface. Upon heating (200 ≤T≤ 600°C) a (√3 ×√3)R30° LEED pattern is observed. At the lowest coverage ( < 0.7 ML) this pattern is determined to arise from Ag atoms which are embedded in the threefold hollows, ~ 0.7 Å below the first and above the second Si layer, with a Ag-Si distance of 2.48 ± 0.04 Å. At higher coverage ( $ ̌1 ML) Ag clusters are found to grow on this interface with the same Ag-Ag distance as in Ag metal. Our results are discussed in the context of previous experimental and theoretical results.