Observation of Quantum Size Effect from Silicon Nanowall

Abstract

We developed a fabrication technique of very thin silicon nanowall structures. The minimum width of the fabricated silicon nanowall structures was about 3 nm. This thinnest region of the silicon nanowall structures was investigated by using cathode luminescence and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). The UPS measurements revealed that the density of states (DOS) of the thinnest region showed a stepwise shape which is completely different from that of the bulk Si. Theoretical analysis clearly demonstrated that this change of the DOS shape was due to the quantum size effect.