Self-assembled Iridium quantum dots on Silicon(110) surface

Self-assembled quasi periodic Quantum Dots (QDs) were grown by depositing two monolayers of Ir on Si(110) surface. We investigated the physical and chemical properties of these QDs with the help of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy/Spectroscopy (STM/STS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). STM images showed that the surface was covered with large terraces corrugated with quasi periodic superstructure of QDs. XPS data suggests that the terraces are made out of Ir and at the interface between Ir terraces and Si(110) surface, Ir-silicide forms. The shifts in position of the Ir 4f and Si 2p peaks associated with Ir-silicide were comparable with the previously known bulk Ir-silicides.