Stable reconstruction and adsorbates of InAs(1 1 1)A surface

We investigated the surface properties of InAs(1 1 1)A by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (LT-STM) with atomic resolution and first-principles calculation. Very clear atom image was observed, showing that the surface reconstruction is an In-vacancy structure. We also observed two kinds of adsorbates on the surface. The first-principles calculations indicate that the In-vacancy structure is the most stable surface reconstruction under any experimental conditions, which is consistent with the LT-STM observation. Investigations of adsorption properties of an In atom, an As atom, and an As₂ molecule by the first-principles calculations imply that the observed adsorbates are an In atom and an As₂ molecule.