Manipulation and spectroscopy of quantum structures on semiconductor surfaces by cryogenic scanning tunneling microscopy

• Applicant: Dr. Stefan Fölsch
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2013 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 226562331

Cryogenic scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is used to assemble individual nanostructures from atomic building blocks on a III-V semiconductor surface and to investigate their electronic properties. The building blocks are single adsorbed atoms and atomic point defects that can be deliberately created and positioned by the STM tip. This allows us to create ultimately small structures on semiconductor platform which are free of any stochastic variations in their size, shape, or composition. The central goal of the project is to explore the properties of tailored nanostructures, to tune these properties and to control them. Of central interest is the electronic interaction between the atomic building blocks, as well as their interaction with the semiconductor environment. The electronic states and elementary excitations of the nanostructures are analyzed by scanning tunneling spectroscopy to gain insight into their quantum-physical properties. A fundamental understanding of these properties is important for future technologies which implement device function and electronic transport based on quantum effects.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Japan, USA
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Steven C. Erwin; Dr. Kiyoshi Kanisawa; Dr. Kyoichi Suzuki