Quantum coherence of bulk electrons on metals revealed by scanning tunneling spectroscopy

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The quantum dynamics of electrons in bulk states is investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy on a Ag(100) surface. By measuring conductance maps above a threshold voltage, we observe standing waves at step edges and defects. We interpret these to originate from electrons in a bulk band edge at the Γ point. From the spatially decaying waves, the wave vector and the quantum coherence parameters—coherence length, lifetime, and linewidth—are determined as a function of energy. We measure a coherence length of about 5–7 Å, which is order of magnitudes lower than typically observed for surface or image-potential states. The energy of the band edge is extracted from the dispersion relation and agrees with the peak measured in scanning tunneling spectra at 1.9 eV above the Fermi energy. Theoretical calculations confirm the nature of the state elucidating the experimental findings.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number205433
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical Review: B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume89
Issue number20
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2014
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84902193262
ORCID /0000-0001-9607-8715/work/166326241
ORCID /0000-0002-6574-7848/work/211720141

Keywords

Keywords

  • scanning tunneling spectroscopy