Ga- and As-Adatom phases on the Ge(111) and Si(111) surfaces: analogies and differences

The (1 × 1) and (√3 × √3)R30° (T4) structures of Ga and As adatoms on the Ge(111) and Si(111) surfaces are studied using first-principles calculations. The surface energetics predicts, in some cases, a transformation of the T4 structure (surface covered with 1/3 monolayer (ML) of adatoms) into domains of the 1-ML covered (1 × 1) structure and areas of clean reconstructed suface. For As adatoms, such phase separation is favored on both substrates, while for Ga adatoms, it is only preferred on the Ge(111) surfaces. These results compare well with experimental observations.