Direct Evidence for the Effect of Quantum Confinement of Surface-State Electrons on Atomic Diffusion

N. N. Negulyaev, V. S. Stepanyuk, L. Niebergall, P. Bruno, W. Hergert, J. Repp, K.-H. Rieder, and G. Meyer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 226601 – Published 24 November 2008
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Abstract

We report on the direct observations of the effect of quantum confinement of surface-state electrons on atomic diffusion. Confined electronic states induced by open nanoscale resonators [consisting of two parallel monatomic Cu chains on Cu(111)] are studied by means of scanning tunneling microscope measurements and first-principles calculations. Strongly anisotropic diffusion of adatoms around and inside resonators is revealed at low temperatures. The formation of diffusion channels and empty zones is demonstrated. We show that it is possible to engineer atomic diffusion by varying the distance between the resonator walls.

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  • Received 8 July 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.226601

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

N. N. Negulyaev1, V. S. Stepanyuk2, L. Niebergall2, P. Bruno2,3, W. Hergert1, J. Repp4, K.-H. Rieder5, and G. Meyer6

  • 1Fachbereich Physik, Martin-Luther-Universität, Halle-Wittenberg, Friedemann-Bach-Platz 6, D-06099 Halle, Germany
  • 2Max-Planck-Institut für Mikrostrukturphysik, Weinberg 2, D-06120 Halle, Germany
  • 3European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, BP 220, F-38043 Grenoble Cedex, France
  • 4Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, University of Regensburg, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany
  • 5Institut für Experimentalphysik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
  • 6IBM Research, Zurich Research Laboratory, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 22 — 28 November 2008

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