Direct observation of bi-alkali antimonide photocathodes growth via in operando x-ray diffraction studies

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2014 · APL materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4902544· OSTI ID:22415226

Ruiz-Osés, M.; Ben-Zvi, I.; Liang, X.; Muller, E. ^[1]; Schubert, S. ^[2]; Attenkofer, K.; Rao, T.; Padmore, H.; Vecchione, T.; Wong, J. ^[3]; Xie, J. ^[4]

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1. Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794 (United States)
2. Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Albert-Einstein Str. 15, 12489 Berlin (Germany)
3. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
4. Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439 (United States)

Alkali antimonides have a long history as visible-light-sensitive photocathodes. This work focuses on the process of fabrication of the bi-alkali photocathodes, K{sub 2}CsSb. In-situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction and photoresponse measurements were used to monitor phase evolution during sequential photocathode growth mode on Si(100) substrates. The amorphous-to-crystalline transition for the initial antimony layer was observed at a film thickness of 40 Å . The antimony crystalline structure dissolved upon potassium deposition, eventually recrystallizing upon further deposition into K-Sb crystalline modifications. This transition, as well as the conversion of potassium antimonide to K{sub 2}CsSb upon cesium deposition, is correlated with changes in the quantum efficiency.

• OSTI ID: 22415226
• Journal Information: APL materials, Vol. 2, Issue 12; Other Information: (c) 2014 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 2166-532X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
AMORPHOUS STATE
ANTIMONIDES
CESIUM COMPOUNDS
CRYSTAL GROWTH
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DEPOSITION
FILMS
LAYERS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHOTOCATHODES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY
SILICON
SUBSTRATES
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
THICKNESS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION