Studies of LaA103{100} surfaces using RHEED and REM II: 5 X 5 surface reconstruction

For the first time, 5 X 5 surface reconstruction on annealed LaAIO3{100} surfaces is observed with reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and reflection electron microscopy (REM). Most of the {100} surface areas are covered by the reconstructed layer. The presence of twin boundaries and protrusion contaminants on the surface has no influence on the formation of the reconstruction. Surface steps may enhance the surface reconstruction but are not essential to initiate the reconstruction. This feature is interpreted based on the adsorption models of oxygen on surface steps.