First-principles study of the adsorption of cesium on Si(001)(2 x 1) surface

First-principles calculations based on density functional theory-generalized gradient approximation method have been performed on cesium adsorption on Si(001)(2 x 1) surface. The optimized geometries and adsorption energies have been obtained and the preferred binding sites have been determined for the coverage (Theta) of one monolayer and half a monolayer. At Theta = 0.5 ML the most stable adsorption site is shown to be T3 site. At Theta = 1 ML two Cs atoms are adsorbed at HH and T3 sites, respectively. It was found that the saturation coverage of Cs for the Si(001)(2 x 1)-Cs surface is one monolayer instead of half a monolayer. This finding supports the majority of experimental observations but does not support recent coaxial impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy investigations [Surf. Sci. 531, L340 (2003)] and He(+) Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy studies [Phys. Rev. B 62, 4545 (2000)]. Mulliken charge and overlap population analysis showed that the Cs-Si bond is indeed ionic rather than polarized covalent as generally assumed for alkali metal (AM) on Si(001)(2 x 1) surface. Geometrical structure analysis seems to have limitations in determining the nature of AM-substrate bond. We also found that the silicon surface is metallic and semiconducting for the coverages of 0.5 and 1 ML, respectively.