Quasi one-dimensional Ag nanostructures on Si(331)–(12×1)

We report on the deposition of sub-monolayer Ag on the Si(331)–(12×1) surface. The growth of one-dimensional Ag nanostructures is observed by means of low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and low energy electron diffraction. We find that the deposited Ag is organized in nanostructures consistently taking “sawtooth” shapes. While the structures are not perfectly organized, their back edges are atomically straight. The limitations of this system in terms of faceting are also discussed.