Quantum oscillations in the surface excitations of ultrathin Mg(0001) films
- Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA (United States)
- Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
- Inha Univ. Inchon (Korea)
Using reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), we unveil a direct correlation between the thickness-dependent oscillatory charge spilling of quantum well states in epitaxial Mg(0001) films, and the linear dispersion coefficient of the monopole surface plasmon mode. In addition, the spectral intensities of the photoemission threshold excitation and multipole surface plasmon mode follow a similar but mutually anticorrelated quantum oscillatory pattern. We attribute these oscillatory features of the collective response to quantum oscillations in the ground-state charge-density profile, specifically its decay into the vacuum. Because the decay lengths can be controlled through the quantum-size effects and appropriate choice of the quantum-size boundary conditions, these insights are expected to be significant in the design of quantum-sized plasmonic devices.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725; R11- 2008-053-02001-0
- OSTI ID:
- 1159407
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 90, Issue 11; ISSN 1098-0121
- Publisher:
- American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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