Critical surface phase of α2(2 × 4) reconstructed zig-zag chains on InAs(001)

•Discontinuous surface phase transition phenomena on the flat InAs(001) surface•Nanoscale InAs(001) surface observed by scanning tunneling microscopy•“Zig-Zag” chains of α2(2 × 4) reconstruction•Critical role in the surface phase transition between (2 × 4) and (4 × 2)

The critical condition for InAs(001) surface phase transition has been studied, the surface phase transition of InAs(001) showed discontinuity with hysteresis cycle as a function of substrate temperature. A mixed reconstruction surface and zig-zag chain α2(2 × 4) reconstruction surface have been observed by scanning tunneling microscopy. Considering the interaction and dynamics of surface arsenic atoms, the zig-zag chains of α2(2 × 4) reconstruction were found to be actually caused by the selective adsorption and desorption of surface arsenic dimers, they played a critical role in the surface phase transition between (2 × 4) and (4 × 2).