Influence of Substrate Surface-Induced Defects on the Interface State between NaCl(100) and Ag(111)

• Published in: Journal of physical chemistry. C 2013-08, Vol.117 (31), p.16095-16103
• Main Authors: Heidorn, S, Bertram, C, Koch, J, Boom, K, Matthaei, F, Safiei, A, Henzl, J, Morgenstern, K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Defects and impurities in crystals; microstructure; Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, thin films and low-dimensional structures; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Physics; Point defects (vacancies, interstitials, color centers, etc.) and defect clusters; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Surface and interface electron states; Theory and models of film growth
• ISSN: 1932-7447; 1932-7455
• DOI: 10.1021/jp405297h

NaCl islands on Ag(111) are investigated by low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The thermodynamically stable growth mode consists of bilayer-high rectangular-shaped islands that are (100) terminated with a large band gap. Deviations from this bulk-like (100) growth are induced by surface defects as intrinsic step edges and point defects in the supporting Ag(111) surface. The interface between NaCl(100) and Ag(111) induces an interface state that is completely depopulated with its onset at (92 ± 4) meV. The influence of the Ag surface-induced defects on the interface state is discussed.