Infrared study of the chemisorption of hydrogen and water on vicinal Si (100) 2x1 surfaces.
01 January 1985
The influence of steps on the formation of hydrides and the decomposition of water has been investigated with high resolution infrared spectroscopy. On vicinal surfaces for which single domains are formed on the terraces, polarized radiation is used to separate vibrations of adsorbates on the terrace from those at steps. We find that H adsorbed at steps is less stable than the monohydride phase but more stable than the dihydride phase. Further, water is found to dissociate preferentially on the terrace dimers and not at steps.