Nanoscale Electronic Inhomogeneity in In_2Se_3 Nanoribbons Revealed by Microwave Impedance Microscopy
Driven by interactions due to the charge, spin, orbital, and lattice degrees of freedom, nanoscale inhomogeneity has emerged as a new theme for materials with novel properties near multiphase boundaries. As vividly demonstrated in complex metal oxides and chalcogenides, these microscopic phases are of great scientific and technological importance for research in hightemperature superconductors, colossal magnetoresistance effect, phase-change memories, and domain switching operations. Direct imaging on dielectric properties of these local phases,however, presents a big challenge for existing scanning probe techniques. Here, we report the observation of electronic inhomogeneity in indium selenide (In{sub 2}Se{sub 3}) nanoribbons by near-field scanning microwave impedance microscopy. Multiple phases with local resistivity spanning six orders of magnitude are identified as the coexistence of superlattice, simple hexagonal lattice and amorphous structures with {approx}100nm inhomogeneous length scale, consistent with high-resolution transmission electron microscope studies. The atomic-force-microscope-compatible microwave probe is able to perform quantitative sub-surface electronic study in a noninvasive manner. Finally, the phase change memory function in In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} nanoribbon devices can be locally recorded with big signal of opposite signs.
- Research Organization:
- SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76SF00515
- OSTI ID:
- 981377
- Report Number(s):
- SLAC-PUB-14040; TRN: US201012%%1126
- Journal Information:
- Submitted to Nano Letters, Journal Name: Submitted to Nano Letters
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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