Observation of standing waves at steps on the GaN(0001) pseudo-(1×1) surface by scanning tunneling spectroscopy at room temperature

Abstract

Standing waves formed at steps of the GaN(0001) pseudo-(1×1) surface are observed with scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) at room temperature. The oscillatory behavior of the dI/dV calculated for free electrons scattered by atomic steps agrees well with that measured by STS suggesting that surface state of the pseudo-(1×1) structure is nearly free-electron-like thereby confirming the metallic state of the GaN(0001) pseudo-(1×1) surface. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.