Atomic and electronic structure of ideal and reconstructed $\alpha$-Sn (111) surface

Abstract

We have carried out an ab-initio study of $\alpha$-Sn (111), with the aim of predicting and understanding its structure, reconstructions, and electronic states. We consider a variety of structural possibilities, and optimize them by moving atoms according to Hellmann-Feynman forces. Our results indicate that the unreconstructed surface is highly unstable, while a variety of reconstructions compete for the true ground state. Extrapolated trends from diamond to Si to Ge are well borne out, with a $2\times 1 \pi$-bonded chain reconstruction prevailing in the absence of adatoms, and a $c(4\times 2)$ or $(2\times 2)$ basic adatom-restatom unit reconstruction otherwise. Accompanying surface bucklings are in both cases larger than in Si and Ge, with consequently large ionic charge transfers predicted. Search for a $\beta$-Sn-like metallic state of the surface turned out to be inconclusive.