  We investigated Pt-induced nanowires on the Si(110) surface using scanning
tunneling microscopy (STM) and angle-resolved photoemission (ARP). High
resolution STM images show a well-ordered nanowire array of 1.6 nm width and
2.7 nm separation. ARP reveals fully occupied one dimensional (1D) bands with a
Rashba-type split dispersion. Local dI/dV spectra further indicate well
confined 1D electron channels on the nanowires, whose density of states
characteristics are consistent with the Rashba-type band splitting. The
observed energy and momentum splitting of the bands are among the largest ever
reported for Rashba systems, suggesting the Pt-Si nanowire as a unique 1D giant
Rashba system. This self-assembled nanowire can be exploited for silicon-based
spintronics devices as well as the quest for Majorana Fermions.
