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Spatially modulated interface states in a two-dimensional potential: Single-layer RbI on Ag(111)
Benjamin W McDowell1, Jon M Mills1, Motoaki Honda1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Materials Science Institute, Oregon Center for Optical, Molecular, and Quantum Science, University of Oregon, 1253 University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|December 11, 2023
Summary
Interface electronic states (IES) on metal surfaces show spatial variations for rubidium iodide (RbI) on silver (Ag(111)). This unique behavior, modeled by a corrugated potential, results in anisotropic electron mass, unlike other alkali halides.
Area of Science:
- Surface Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Alkali halides (AHs) deposited on metal surfaces at ultra-thin coverages form interface electronic states (IES).
- Previous studies on other AHs typically show isotropic electronic structures for these IES.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial variations in electronic structure of IES formed by sub-monolayer rubidium iodide (RbI) growth on Ag(111).
- To model the observed spatially dependent electronic behavior and understand its origin.
Main Methods:
- Experimental observation of IES for RbI on Ag(111).
- Theoretical modeling using a two-dimensional cosine potential derived from Mathieu equation solutions.
- Analysis of charge transfer interactions and their impact on the potential corrugation and electron mass anisotropy.
Main Results:
- RbI on Ag(111) exhibits spatially varying electronic structure in its IES, contrasting with other AHs.
- A two-dimensional cosine potential, commensurate with the moiré superstructure, qualitatively models this behavior.
- Stronger substrate-adlayer charge transfer in RbI leads to a more corrugated potential and anisotropic effective electron mass.
Conclusions:
- The observed spatial variations in IES for RbI on Ag(111) are attributed to a corrugated effective potential.
- This potential arises from enhanced charge transfer interactions specific to the RbI/Ag(111) system.
- The study reveals an anisotropic effective electron mass for IES in RbI/Ag(111), challenging previous findings for other alkali halides.
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