√ Dense single-atomic 14x 3-reconstructed Pb layer on Si(111): Structural and superconducting properties

./ A highly ordered, Pb-dense 14x ./ ./3-Pb overlayer was grown on Si(111) using the two-step procedure with formation of the 7x 3-Pb surface [displaying the 1x1 structure at room temperature (RT)] at the first step and ./ RT deposition of additional Pb at the second step until formation of the 14x ./3-Pb phase with 1.286 monolayers of Pb is completed. The single-domain orientation of the 14x 3-Pb layer persists along the entire surface of the terraces which are typically as wide as dozens of nanometers and in the selected areas might exceed a hundred ./ nanometers. The 14x 3-Pb phase hosts the superconductivity with the critical temperature Tc = 2.08 K which exceeds all ever reported values for the single-atom Pb layers on Si(111).

Automated summary

In this study, a highly ordered, Pb-dense 14x3-Pb overlayer was grown on Si(111) using a two-step procedure. The 14x3-Pb layer exhibits single-domain orientation and reaches a thickness of 1.286 monolayers. The critical temperature (Tc) of the 14x3-Pb phase is 2.08K, exceeding all previously reported values for single-atom Pb layers on Si(111).