Surface and bulk normal state transport properties in K(3)C(60).

Area of Science:

• Solid State Physics
• Materials Science
• Surface Science

Background:

• Potassium-doped fullerene compounds like K(3)C(60) exhibit complex electronic properties.
• Understanding the surface electronic and transport properties of these materials is crucial for their applications.
• Surface-sensitive techniques are valuable but require validation with bulk-sensitive methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the temperature dependence of surface resistivity in a metallic K(3)C(60) film.
• To compare the electronic and transport properties of the top molecular layer with bulk properties.
• To assess the validity of surface-sensitive measurements on fullerene compounds.

Main Methods:

• Reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS) was employed.
• Measurements were conducted on an ordered K(3)C(60) film in its nonsuperconducting state.

Main Results:

• The temperature dependence of surface resistivity was successfully obtained.
• Normal state electronic and transport properties of the top molecular layer were found to be similar to bulk properties.
• Deviations from Fermi-liquid behavior were observed in transport properties at temperatures above 500 K.

Conclusions:

• Experimental results from surface-sensitive techniques on fullerene compounds are strengthened and generalized.
• The study confirms the utility of REELS for characterizing fullerene surface properties.
• The observed deviations suggest complex electronic behavior in K(3)C(60) at elevated temperatures.