We have successfully controlled the surface structures of GaAs(001) by changing incident As-molecular species. Under As4 fluxes, the c(4 x 4) reconstruction with Ga-As dimers [c(4 x 4)alpha structure] is obtained, but the formation of three As-As dimer structures [c(4 x 4)beta structure] is kinetically limited. On the other hand, the structure change from the (2 x 4), through c(4 x 4)alpha, to c(4 x 4)beta phases is observed under As2 fluxes. We found that the c(4 x 4)alpha structure is energetically metastable and provides a kinetic pathway for the structure change between the (2 x 4) and c(4 x 4)beta phases under As2 fluxes.

The Ga-rich reconstruction of the GaAs(001) surface has been studied. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we have found the existence of a well-ordered (4 x 6) reconstruction under extreme Ga-rich conditions. A structure model, consisting of subsurface Ga-Ga dimers and surface Ga-As dimers, is proposed for the (4 x 6) surface. This model is found to be energetically favorable at the Ga-rich limit and agrees well with our experimental data from STM and reflection high-energy electron diffraction.

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