Two-dimensional tellurium superstructures on Au(111) surfaces

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Science
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Two-dimensional (2D) tellurium (Te), or tellurene, is a novel material with theoretically predicted exotic properties.
• Developing simple and robust fabrication methods for 2D elemental materials is crucial for advancing research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the fabrication of three distinct 2D tellurium superstructures on Au(111) surfaces.
• To investigate the structural and electronic properties of these tellurene superstructures.

Main Methods:

• Low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS).
• Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and field emission AES.
• Experimental deposition approach for 2D Te on Au(111).

Main Results:

• Three 2D Te superstructures (13 × 13, 8 × 4, and √11 × √11) were successfully fabricated on Au(111).
• The formation of these superstructures altered the Au(111) surface reconstruction.
• Superstructure-dependent electronic resonances and band gaps with p-type character were observed.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates a viable method for creating 2D Te superstructures.
• The observed electronic properties are strongly dependent on the structural arrangement of Te atoms.
• These findings contribute to the understanding and potential applications of tellurene in advanced electronic devices.