Si(111) and Si(100) surfaces observed in air by scanning tunneling microscopy

Si(111) and Si(100) surfaces have been observed by an air-operating scanning tunneling microscope (STM). On the cleaved Si(111) surface STM topographic images show predominantly [2¯11]-oriented monatomic steps. The distribution of the width of the terraces is centered around 4 nm. Si(100) surfaces have been hydrogen-terminated by a treatment with fluoridic acid (HF). The surface appears in the topographic STM images to be quite stable and smooth with presumably no oxide.