Session P44: Focus Session: Nanoscale Transport - Metals

11:15 AM–2:15 PM, Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Chair: Doug Natelson, Rice University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2007.MAR.P44.4

Abstract: P44.00004 : Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy of Few-Atom Nb Nanoclusters on an Ultrathin Insulating Surface.

11:51 AM–12:03 PM

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Authors:

C.D. Ruggiero
T. Choi
J.A. Gupta
(Department of Physics, The Ohio State University)

The study of small metallic clusters offers insight into the evolution of electronic structure from atomic orbitals to bulk-like band structure. We report scanning tunneling spectroscopy on small Nb clusters ranging in size from a single atom to a few atoms. All data were collected using a low-temperature ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscope operating at 5K. Insulating islands of CuN ($\sim$5nm x 5nm) were grown on a Cu(100) surface in order to decouple deposited Nb clusters from the metal substrate. Tunneling spectra on a bare CuN island reveal an insulating gap exceeding 4eV despite a thickness of only one monolayer. The dI/dV spectra of few-atom Nb clusters on CuN islands reveal a pronounced peak that may be associated with an atomic resonance. The peak position shifts in energy by as much as 0.5eV as a function of cluster size. http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/$\sim$jgupta

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2007.MAR.P44.4