Preprint Article Version 1 This version is not peer-reviewed

# Effects of Domain Boundaries on the Diffraction Patterns of One Dimensional Structures

Version 1 : Received: 10 November 2016 / Approved: 10 November 2016 / Online: 10 November 2016 (15:50:29 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Timmer, F.; JoachimWollschläger. Effects of Domain Boundaries on the Diffraction Patterns of One-Dimensional Structures. Condens. Matter 2017, 2, 7. Timmer, F.; JoachimWollschläger. Effects of Domain Boundaries on the Diffraction Patterns of One-Dimensional Structures. Condens. Matter 2017, 2, 7.

Journal reference: Condens. Matter 2017, 2, 7
DOI: 10.3390/condmat2010007

## Abstract

Motivated by diffraction experiments on the $23×3R30∘$ reconstructed Si(111) due to deposition of rare earth elements (Dy, Tb) and silicide formation we analyse the splitting and non-splitting of superstructure spots. For this purpose, we model diffraction patterns for one dimensional structures generated by the binary surface technique and use supercell models to keep the analysis simple. Diffraction pattern are calculated in the framework of the kinematical diffraction theory and they are analyzed as a function of the domains and domain boundaries. Basic properties of the diffraction pattern are analyzed for model systems of a two-fold and a three-fold periodicity. The rules derived from these calculations are applied to the "real-world" system of Si(111)-($23×3R30∘$)-RESi$2$ (RE = Dy or Tb). Depending on the combination of domains and domain boundaries of different types a plethora of different features are observed in the diffraction patterns. These are analyzed to determine the sizes of both domain boundaries and domains from experimentally observed splitting of specific superstructure spots.

## Subject Areas

spot-profile analysis; one dimensional physics; low energy electron diffraction; binary surface technique; supercell model; domain boundary