Electrostatic potentials of atomic nanostructures at metal surfaces quantified by scanning quantum dot microscopy

Nature Communications, vol. 15, pp. 2259

Abstract

The discrete and charge-separated nature of matter - electrons and nuclei - results in local electrostatic fields that are ubiquitous in nanoscale structures and relevant in catalysis, nanoelectronics and quantum nanoscience. Surface-averaging techniques provide only limited experimental access to these potentials, which are determined by the shape, material, and environment of the nanostructure. Here, we image the potential over adatoms, chains, and clusters of Ag and Au atoms assembled on Ag(111) and quantify their surface dipole moments. By focusing on the total charge density, these data establish a benchmark for theory. Our density functional theory calculations show a very good agreement with experiment and allow a deeper analysis of the dipole formation mechanisms, their dependence on fundamental atomic properties and on the shape of the nanostructures. We formulate an intuitive picture of the basic mechanisms behind dipole formation, allowing better design choices for future nanoscale systems such as single-atom catalysts.

Authors 12

1. Rustem Bolat Aachen Experimentalphysik IV A

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Experimentalphysik IV A, RWTH Aachen University, Otto-Blumenthal-Straße, 52074, Aachen, Germany

   Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA), Fundamentals of Future Information Technology, 52425, Jülich, Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany

2. José M. Guevara

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany

3. Philipp Leinen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany

4. Marvin Knol Aachen Experimentalphysik IV A

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Experimentalphysik IV A, RWTH Aachen University, Otto-Blumenthal-Straße, 52074, Aachen, Germany

   Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA), Fundamentals of Future Information Technology, 52425, Jülich, Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany

5. Hadi H. Arefi

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance

   Affiliation as printed

   Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA), Fundamentals of Future Information Technology, 52425, Jülich, Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany

6. Michael Maiworm

   Technische Universität Darmstadt

   Affiliation as printed

   Control and Cyber-Physical Systems Laboratory, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64277, Darmstadt, Germany

7. Rolf Findeisen

   Technische Universität Darmstadt

   Affiliation as printed

   Control and Cyber-Physical Systems Laboratory, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64277, Darmstadt, Germany

8. Ruslan Temirov

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · University of Cologne · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance

   Affiliation as printed

   II. Physikalisches Institut, Universität zu Köln, 50937, Köln, Germany

   Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA), Fundamentals of Future Information Technology, 52425, Jülich, Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany

9. Oliver T. Hofmann

   Graz University of Technology · Nawi Graz

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Solid State Physics, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, 8010, Graz, Austria

10. Reinhard J. Maurer

    University of Warwick

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, UK

    Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, UK

11. Frank Stefan Tautz Aachen Experimentalphysik IV A

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Experimentalphysik IV A, RWTH Aachen University, Otto-Blumenthal-Straße, 52074, Aachen, Germany

    Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA), Fundamentals of Future Information Technology, 52425, Jülich, Germany

    Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany

12. Christian Wagner corresponding

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance

    Affiliation as printed

    Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA), Fundamentals of Future Information Technology, 52425, Jülich, Germany. c.wagner@fz-juelich.de

    Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany. c.wagner@fz-juelich.de

    Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA), Fundamentals of Future Information Technology, 52425, Jülich, Germany