Atomically precise Si(331)-(12x1) surfaces
  Si(331)-(12x1) is the only confirmed planar silicon surface with a stable reconstruction located between (111) and (110). We have optimized the annealing sequence and are able to obtain almost defect free, atomically precise surface areas approaching micrometer dimensions. The unprecedented perfection of the surface combined with its pronounced structural anisotropy makes it a promising candidate to serve as template for the growth of self-assembled one-dimensional nanostructure arrays. 
Corsin Battaglia, Claude Monney, Clement Didiot, Eike Fabian Schwier,   Nicolas Mariotti, Michael Gunnar Garnier, Philipp Aebi