Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Determination of the bonding configuration at the epitaxial CaF2/Si(111) interface has revealed Ca-Si bonds in the interfacial plane. Removal of an unstable layer of F from the interface occurs during a rapid thermal anneal. In comparison, the CaF2/Si(100) interface is not smooth, making assignment of interface bonding configurations ambiguous. After a rapid thermal anneal, evidence for an intermediate interfacial phase is observed on Si (100). This phase does not occur on Si (111).