Determination of the local structure and electronic states of high-T{sub c} superconductors by scanning tunneling microscopy

Journal Article · Thu Mar 05 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Journal of Physical Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100184a005· OSTI ID:255249

Zhang, Z; Lieber, C M ^[1]

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1. Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA (United States)

To date, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has significantly advanced the understanding of the local structure, electronic properties, and reactivity of semiconductor surfaces. Less recognized is the fact that STM can also elucidate the local structural and electronic properties of low-dimensional materials. Herein, the authors demonstrate that STM can provide new and essential insight into the physical complexities of high-temperature copper oxide superconductors that is unavailable from conventional studies. After reviewing the basic theoretical concepts needed to evaluate STM data, the authors discuss several specific cases that illustrate the unique information that STM provides. These examples include (1) the atomic level nature of structural disorder in the BiO and TlO layers of Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8} and Tl{sub 2}Ba{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8} and the low-energy electronic states associated with these structural features, (2) the local structure and electronic consequences of metal substitution and oxygen doping in Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8}, and (3) low-temperature tunneling spectroscopy measurements of the superconducting energy gap. Lastly, the authors summarize exciting future avenues to pursue in STM studies of these and other materials. 57 refs., 15 figs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 255249
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 96; ISSN JPCHAX; ISSN 0022-3654
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
40 CHEMISTRY
BARIUM COMPOUNDS
BISMUTH COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CRYSTAL DOPING
CUPRATES
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTORS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
STRONTIUM COMPOUNDS
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
THALLIUM COMPOUNDS