Scanning tunneling microscopy and photoemission studies of self-organised Ag nanostructures on the N-modified Cu(001) surface

Abstract

There has been a strong interest in methods of creating nanometer scale structures and in particular forming one-and two-dimensional electron confinement structures. Self-organisation has been recognised as a promising way for growing large nanostructure domains with sufficiently regular size and spacing as required for the observation of quantum well states. We investigated the electronic properties of Ag nano-structures on N-modified Cu(001). This system is an example of epitaxial growth confined on nanoscale regions due to the occurrence of an adsorbate induced reconstruction. Using a combination of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Angle Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy techniques we were able to determine the morphology and the growth mode of Ag on N-modified Cu(001) surface and the occurrence of quantum size effects in the electron properties of Ag nanostripes and nanoislands, evidenced in the occurrence of quantum well states.