Motivated by the striking promise of quantum computation, Majorana bound states (MBSs) in solid-state systems have attracted wide attention in recent years. In particular, the wavefunction localisation of MBSs is a key feature and is crucial for their future implementation as qubits. Here we investigate the spatial and electronic characteristics of topological superconducting chains of iron atoms on the surface of Pb(110) by combining scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We demonstrate that the Fe chains are mono-atomic, structured in a linear manner and exhibit zero-bias conductance peaks at their ends, which we interpret as signature for a MBS. Spatially resolved conductance maps of the atomic chains reveal that the MBSs are well localised at the chain ends (≲25 nm), with two localisation lengths as predicted by theory. Our observation lends strong support to use MBSs in Fe chains as qubits for quantum-computing devices.
We conducted a comprehensive Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) study on a classical organic solar cell system consisting of MDMO-PPV/PCBM blends. The KPFM method yields the information of topography and local work function at the nanometer scale. Experiments were performed either in the dark or under cw laser illumination at 442 nm. We identified distinct differences in the energetics on the surface of chlorobenzene and toluene cast blend films. Together with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments we were able to interpret the KPFM results and to draw some conclusions for the electron transport toward the cathode in the solar cell configuration. The results suggest that surfaces of toluene cast films exhibit a morphologically controlled hindrance for electron propagation toward the cathode, which is usually evaporated on top of the films in the solar cell device configuration.
We present quantitative measurements of the work function of semiconductor and metal surfaces prepared in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) using a combination of UHV noncontact atomic force microscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy. High energetic and lateral resolution is achieved by using the second resonance frequency of the cantilever to measure the electrostatic forces, while the first resonance frequency is used to simultaneously obtain topographic images by the frequency modulation technique. Spatially resolved work-function measurements reveal a reduced work function in the vicinity of steps on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. On the GaAs(110) surface it could be demonstrated that defect states in the forbidden band gap cause a local pinning of the Fermi level along monolayer steps. On p-WSe2(0001) work-function variations due to the Coulomb potential of single dopant sites were resolved.
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