Computer simulation of Si and C atoms on SiC surfaces

The molecular dynamics method employing an empirical potential energy function to describe the Si-C interaction has been used to determine the minimum energy sites for Si and C adatoms on C-terminated SiC (001) substrates. It is found that whereas a single C adatom lies on the carbon dimer bond, this site only becomes energetically favourable for silicon adatoms when they interact to form a dimer pai