Silicene on substrates: A theoretical perspective

Zhong Hong-Xia^a),^c)†, Quhe Ru-Ge^a),^d),^e),^f)†, Wang Yang-Yang^a),^g)†, Shi Jun-Jie^a), Lü Jing†‡^a),^b)

STM characterization of multi-oriented silicene domains on Ag (111). (a) From an STM image, a pictorial view of individual Si domains with patch together to form a larger interconnected sheet. In the inset a different STM image ( V = −1.5 V, I = 0.2 nA) emphasizes the different orientations of the patterned silicene domains; the black arrow indicates the [1–10] direction of the Ag (111) surface, while dotted guidelines (red, blue, and black) distinguish the different preferential orientations of the silicene superstructures. (b) Sequence of ball models which simulate the superpositions of oriented honeycomb silicene lattices (blue spots) on the Ag (111) surface (grey spots); several superstructures are generated by particular orientations of the silicene with respect to the Ag (111) lattice (Reproduced with permission from Ref. [ 32 ]. Copyright 2012 Wiley Online Library).