Structure and stability of Si/Ag(110) nanoribbons

Using a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) imaging and total-energy calculations within density functional theory, we evaluate a range of new and existing reconstruction models for Si nanoribbons that form on Ag(110). We propose two models that are consistent with experimental estimates of the Si coverage and the previously reported formation of Ag missing rows. The models yield STM images in excellent agreement with experiment, and are thermodynamically stable. This work provides clear evidence for a strongly bound Si-Ag reconstruction on Ag(110), and does not find any support for models based on silicene.