Bi deposited on the $\mathrm{CdTe}\mathrm{}\left(111\right)A$ (Cd-terminated) surface grows by three-dimensional (3D) islanding, while Bi deposited on the $\mathrm{CdTe}\mathrm{}\left(111\right)B$ (Te-terminated) grows layer-by-layer. However, introducing a Te monolayer (ML) on the $\mathrm{CdTe}\mathrm{}\left(111\right)A$ surface reduces the interfacial energy, thereby changing the growth mode of Bi from 3D islandlike to layer-by-layer growth. The Te ML remains where it is deposited, which differs from the growth mode in which the surface-active agent floats on the growing surface. By incorporating appropriate Te ML’s, Bi/CdTe superlattices with sharper interfaces were observed. These superlattices were characterized by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.

• Received 12 December 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.58.2324