Direct observation of Au deposition processes on InSb{111}A,B-(2 × 2) surfaces

We have studied in situ direct observations of depositing Au onto InSb{111}A,B -(2 ? 2) surfaces up to monolayer (ML) thickness and their reaction processes by using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy in the profile-imaging geometry. During Au deposition up to ?ML coverage, the In-vacancy and Sb-trimer outermost layers of the surfaces change their (2 ? 2) structures to (1 ? 1) periods, and the deposited Au atoms form the regions which agglutinate in the vicinity of their surfaces. Further, Au deposition (e.g.??ML) leads to a partial disruption of the substrate and to an infiltration of the substrates inside. The difference between the (111)A and the (111)B substrates is that the infiltration in the latter slowly progresses in comparison with the former. The difference in growth of gold in these systems is probably due to the polarity and the surface structures of their substrates.