STRUCTURE OF OXIDE SURFACES, NANOSTRUCTURES AND ULTRA THIN FILMS
WG4 members: Martin Castell, Shams Rahman, Xiao Hu, Yakun Gao
homepage: users.ox.ac.uk/~stm/
In the Oxford Surface Nanoscience group we investigate the atomic and electronic structure of SrTiO3 surfaces and other perovskites as well as ultra thin films of TiOx and related materials. We also use these surfaces as templates for molecular ordering of molecules such as fullerenes and for nanocrystal metal island growth. Our aim is to synthesise new surface structures that have novel electrical, optical and magnetic properties. An example of a tailored oxide surface covered in TiOx nanowires is shown in the figure.
Our work is carried out in three UHV chambers equipped with a variety of oxide and metallic growth and synthesis facilities. Characterisation is performed using variable temperature STM, UHV-SEM, XPS, AES, RHEED and LEED.
STM image (55 nm width) showing oxide nanowires on the SrTiO3 (001) surface.
