Atomic structure of the α-MnTe(0001) surface superstructures

Determine the specific atomic arrangements underlying the surface superstructures formed on epitaxial α-MnTe(0001) films, including the thermally stable (2×2) reconstruction and the structures produced by tellurium deposition and post-growth annealing, through quantitative structural analysis.

Background

The study identifies several reversible α-MnTe(0001) surface superstructures, including (2×2), (1×1), (√3×√3)R30°, and (5√3×5√3)R30° periodicities. The authors interpret these structures tentatively in terms of tellurium-deficient surfaces, tellurium adlayers, and vacancy healing, but state that the exact atomic configurations have not been determined. Establishing these structures is important for interpreting and controlling the surface electronic and magnetic properties of altermagnetic α-MnTe(0001).

References

Although the specific atomic arrangement of these surfaces remains unknown and requires a quantitative structure analysis, we here demonstrate the existence of these structures and the possibility of modifying them in a controlled manner.

— Growth of Altermagnetic α-MnTe Films: Substrate Variation and Surface Modification  (2608.17513 - Dittmar et al., 18 Aug 2026) in Section 3.2, subsection “Surface superstructures”; Section 4, “Conclusions”