Nanoscale modifications of chalcogenide glasses using scanning tunneling microscopes

Abstract

Articles you may be interested inDevelopment of an in situ ultra-high-vacuum scanning tunneling microscope in the beamline of the 15 MV tandem accelerator for studies of surface modification by a swift heavy ion beam Rev. Sci. Instrum. 72, 3884 (2001); Nanoscale modifications in Cu-As-Se glasses ͑р30 Cu at. %͒ produced by a scanning tunneling microscope have been studied comparatively with those in As 2 Te 3 and Ag 35 As 26 Se 39 glasses and in Ag and Cu 3 AsSe 4 crystals. When subjected to the tip voltages greater than Ϯ3 V, all the samples, except Cu-As-Se glasses, produce hillocks or holes. In the Cu-As-Se glasses, nanometer hills accompanying peripheral grooves appear upon applications of negative tip voltage of about Ϫ5 V for 1 s. The size increases if the voltage is applied with light illumination, but it does not depend upon temperature ͑20-100°C͒ at which the voltage is applied. The size also increases in the glasses with higher Cu contents. This deformation can be accounted for as a Taylor cone produced under electronically induced fluidity.

Photoinduced fluidity in chalcogenide glasses

“…For instance, electron beams accelerated at 10-30 kV induce appreciable fluidity in As 2 S(Se) 3 and GeS 2 glasses [4]. On the other hand, negative tip voltages (about -5 V) in scanning tunneling microscopes seem to provide substantial fluidity in Cu-As-Se glasses [5]. We may then assume that the electronic fluidity appears universally in chalcogenide glasses.…”

The interaction between electron beam and amorphous chalcogenide films

“…For instance, electron beams accelerated at 10-30 kV induce appreciable fluidity in As 2 S(Se) 3 and GeS 2 glasses [4]. On the other hand, negative tip voltages (about −5 V) in scanning tunneling microscopes seem to provide substantial fluidity in Cu-As-Se glasses [37]. We may then assume that the electronic fluidity appears universally in chalcogenide glasses.…”