Scanning tunneling microscopy of quantum confinement effects in lead sulfide thin films

Wonyoung Lee, Neil P. Dasgupta, Fritz B. Prinz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We report the use of the scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) to investigate 1-dimensional quantum confinement effects in lead sulfide (PbS) thin films. The band gap was varied by control of the PbS film thickness and barrier materials. PbS quantum well structures with a thickness range of 1-20 nm were prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) due to its unique characteristics: precise thickness control with sub-nm resolution, pinhole-free films, and conformal coating. Two barrier materials were selected based on their barrier height: silicon dioxide as a high barrier material and zinc sulfide as a low barrier material. PbS quantum wells embedded in different barrier materials were characterized with STS to measure band gap variations. Experimental results showed that the band gap of PbS thin films increased as film thickness decreased and barrier height increased. The experimental results showed good agreement with an effective mass model.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2009
Pages527-529
Number of pages3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
Event2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2009 - Philadelphia, PA, United States
Duration: 7 Jun 200912 Jun 2009

Publication series

NameConference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
ISSN (Print)0160-8371

Conference

Conference2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia, PA
Period7/06/0912/06/09

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