Challenge for STM observation of dopant activation process on Si(001): in-situ ion irradiation and hydrogenation.

We propose a new strategy for in-situ observation of dopant activation process using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) technology. Two factor techniques are established within our original STM system combined with liquid-metal-ion-source ion-gun (LMIS-IG/STM): (1) in-situ real-time observation of Si(001)-2×1 surface modified with dopant ions, and (2) in-situ hydrogen passivation of Si(001)-2×1 surface. Sequential STM images of the surface morphological changes are successfully obtained with keeping the original observation area. The hydrogenated Si(001)-2×1 surface is stable enough even under the degraded vacuum conditions which are unavoidable in ion irradiation processes. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]