Under the Surface Studies and Nanostructures activity, the formation of antimony 1D structures on Si (5 5 12) surface was studied. Adsorption of antinomy metal on high index Si (5 5 12) which is composed of (2 2 5) and (3 3 7) regions with nanoscale widths and row like trenches and provides an unique template for the growth of nanostructures was studied. Various superstructural phases were formed by steering the kinetic parameters and post growth annealing of the surface
corresponding to various coverages and substrate temperatures. These were probed in-situ by Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS). The growth of Sb at 300°C substrate temperature and annealing to 820°C leads to the formation of low dimensional phases having anisotropy like atomic wires. The results demonstrate the pathways for 1D and 2D nanostructure formation. In Formation of Magnesium Silicide studies, the adsorption studies of magnesium on Si (1 1 1) substrate has been performed using AES, LEED and EELS at various substrate temperatures. It is observed that the sticking coefficient of magnesium on the silicide surface is close to zero for temperatures greater than 100°C. Magnesium silicide grows as continuous films on Si substrate at 100–140 °C, while above 170°C it grows in the form of islands.