Diverse magic nanoclustering in submonolayer Tl/Si(1 1 1) system

Using scanning tunneling microscopy, ordered magic nanoclustering in the submonolayer Tl/Si(1 1 1)7 × 7 system has been studied. In contrast to the other known metal/silicon systems where ordered magic nanoclustering takes place, the Tl/Si(1 1 1) system has been found to be the only one to exhibit the diverse magic clustering. In the present study, occurrence of, at least, three distinct types of the well-defined Tl/Si(1 1 1) magic clusters has been detected.