Composition and Structure of β-SiC(100)-(2 × 2) Surfaces Monitored by Photoemission Spectroscopy using Synchrotron Radiation

We investigate the single domain beta-SiC(100)-(2 x 1) surface reconstruction by core level and valence band photoemission spectroscopies using synchrotron radiation. Specific spectral features at the Si 2p and C 1s core levels including bulk and surface core level shifts, and in the valence band, bring experimental evidence of reproducible beta-SiC(100)-(2 x 1) structures having different Si/C compositions ranging from Si-terminated to Si- + C-containing surfaces.