Surface structure of Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/(110) studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

We have studied the [110] surface of magnetite Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/ with a UHV scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The surface was prepared by a combination of sputtering and annealing at 1200 K and shows straight terraces separated mainly by double and four-fold steps. On the terraces rows were found, with a separation of about 25 /spl Aring/. Current versus voltage characteristics measured on this surface display a gap in the conductivity of about 2 eV. Results will be discussed considering the bulk Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/ structure.<
>