title: Atomic-scale desorption through electronic and vibrational excitation mechanisms.
abstract: The scanning tunneling microscope has been used to desorb hydrogen from hydrogen-terminated silicon (100) surfaces. As a result of control of the dose of incident electrons, a countable number of desorption sites can be created and the yield and cross section are thereby obtained. Two distinct desorption mechanisms are observed: (i) direct electronic excitation of the Si-H bond by field-emitted electrons and (ii) an atomic resolution mechanism that involves multiple-vibrational excitation by tunneling electrons at low applied voltages. This vibrational heating effect offers significant potential for controlling surface reactions involving adsorbed individual atoms and molecules.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Abeln
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lyding
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Avouris
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Walkup