Kinetic roughening of charge spreading in a two-dimensional silicon nanocrystal network detected by electrostatic force microscopy

R. Dianoux, H. J. H. Smilde, F. Marchi, N. Buffet, P. Mur, F. Comin, and J. Chevrier
Phys. Rev. B 71, 125303 – Published 8 March 2005

Abstract

The charging dynamics of silicon nanocrystals embedded in a silicon-dioxide matrix is studied using electrostatic force microscopy. Varying the average oxygen content of the silicon-rich–oxide samples, different charge-spreading behaviors are observed. Three kinds of behavior are distinguished: charge confinement in isolated clusters (insulating), spreading via a network of clusters and metallic. They relate to the local material composition with a threshold silicon/silicon oxide ratio for conduction, a characteristic of percolation. Close to this threshold, in situ and real-time experimental charge spreading on the timescale of several hours in a two-dimensional silicon nanocrystal network is evidenced, with an irreversible evolution of a rough borderline of the electron cloud.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 14 May 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.71.125303

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. Dianoux1,2,*, H. J. H. Smilde3, F. Marchi4,5,†, N. Buffet3, P. Mur3, F. Comin1, and J. Chevrier1,4,5

  • 1ESRF, B.P. 220, 38043 Grenoble cedex 9, France
  • 2CEA, DRFMC/SP2M/SiNaPS, 17 avenue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble cedex 9, France
  • 3CEA-DRT, LETI/DTS, 17 avenue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble cedex 9, France
  • 4CNRS/LEPES, 25 avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France
  • 5Université Joseph Fourier, B.P. 53, 38041 Grenoble cedex 9, France

  • *Electronic address: dianoux@esrf.fr
  • Electronic address: marchi@cnrs.grenoble.fr

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 71, Iss. 12 — 15 March 2005

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×