Issue 33, 2006

Can scanning tunnelling spectroscopy measure the density of states of semiconductor quantum dots?

Abstract

Molecules, supramolecular structures and semiconductor nanocrystals are increasingly used as the active components in prototype opto-electrical devices with miniaturized dimensions and novel functions. Therefore, there is a strong need to measure the electronic structure of such single, individual nano-objects. Here, we explore the potential of scanning tunnelling spectroscopy to obtain quantitative information on the energy levels and Coulomb interactions of semiconductor quantum dots. We discuss the conditions under which shell-tunnelling, shell-filling and bipolar spectroscopy can be performed, and illustrate this with spectra acquired on individual CdSe and PbSe quantum dots. We conclude that quantitative information on the energy levels and Coulomb interactions can be obtained if the physics of the tip/quantum dot/substrate double-barrier tunnel junction is well understood.

Graphical abstract: Can scanning tunnelling spectroscopy measure the density of states of semiconductor quantum dots?

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Apr 2006
Accepted
24 May 2006
First published
02 Jun 2006

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2006,8, 3845-3850

Can scanning tunnelling spectroscopy measure the density of states of semiconductor quantum dots?

P. Liljeroth, L. Jdira, K. Overgaag, B. Grandidier, S. Speller and D. Vanmaekelbergh, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2006, 8, 3845 DOI: 10.1039/B605436F

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