Interplay between quantum confinement and surface effects in thickness selective stability of thin Ag and Eu films

Journal Article · 03 April 2017 · Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/aa6556 · OSTI ID:1377863

Liu, Xiaojie ^[1]; Wang, Cai -Zhuang ^[2]

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1. Northeast Normal Univ., Changchun (People's Republic of China)
2. Ames Lab. and Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States)

Using first-principles calculations, we show that both face-centered cubic (fcc) Ag (1 1 0) ultrathin films and body-centered cubic (bcc) Eu(1 1 0) ultrathin films exhibit thickness selective stability. Furthermore, the origin of such thickness selection is different. While the thickness selective stability in fcc Ag(1 1 0) films is mainly due to the well-known quantum well states ascribed to the quantum confinement effects in free-electron-like metal films, the thickness selection in bcc Eu(1 1 0) films is more complex and also strongly correlated with the occupation of the surface and surface resonance states.

• Research Organization: Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-07CH11358
• OSTI ID: 1377863
• Report Number(s): IS-J-9262
• Journal Information: Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter, Vol. 29, Issue 18; ISSN 0953-8984
• Publisher: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English