Development of a silicon–diamond interface on (111) diamond

We report the preparation of a silicon terminated (111) diamond surface. Low energy electron diffraction and core level photoemission demonstrate that this surface is highly ordered and homogeneous and possesses a negative electron affinity. Our analysis suggests that the surface reconstruction begins with the formation of silicon trimers that coalesce into a rhombohedral 2D silicon layer reminiscent of rhombohedral silicene.