Hus, Saban | Engineering Papers

DOE OSTI2024

Wavefront distortion correction in scanning tunneling microscope image

Here, we report an algorithm to identify and correct distorted wavefronts in atomic resolution scanning tunneling microscope images. This algorithm can be used to correct nonlinear in-plane distortions without prior knowledge of the physical scanning parameters, the characteristics of the piezoelectric actuator, or individual atom positions. The 2D image is first defined as a sum of sinusoidal plane waves, where a nonlinear distortion renders a curve for an otherwise ideal linear wavefront. Using the Fourier transforms of local areas of the image, the algorithm generates a wavefront vector field. The identified wavefronts are subsequently linearized for each plane wave without changing lattice orders, giving rise to distortion corrections. Our algorithm is complementary to conventional post-processing algorithms that require prior detection of real space features, which can also be used to correct nonlinear distortions in 2D images acquired by other microscopy techniques.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Ghost states and surface structures of the charge density wave kagome metal ScV 6 Sn 6

In this work, we investigate the high-temperature phase of the kagome metal ScV 6 Sn 6 using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S) and density functional theory calculations. STM topographic images of the cleaved sample reveal two distinct surface terminations: flat islands with Sn termination and trenches terminated by kagome layers with Sn as the outermost atomic layer. STS measurements on the Sn-terminated and kagome-terminated surfaces show significant differences, in particular the presence of large density of states near the Fermi level in the former case. Our first-principles calculations reveal that the charge density on the kagome-terminated surface gives rise to “ghost states” which show intensity away from surface atoms, arising due to hybridization of orbitals above the surface. These states can obscure the intrinsic properties of the surface, potentially leading to misattribution of the surface termination. This underscores the need for careful interpretation in STM studies, especially when discerning surface states of localized states. Understanding the surface structure of this versatile quantum material provides essential information for interpreting surface-sensitive experiments, tailoring material properties, engineering interfaces, and controlling stability and reactivity. This knowledge paves the way for further exploration and potential applications of kagome lattice materials in various fields, including quantum computing, topological physics, and advanced electronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗