Low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy study of two-dimensional electron systems confined in semiconductor heterostructures

Abstract

Low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy under ultra-high vacuum was employed to investigate the two-dimensional electron system at the epitaxial surface of Sidoped In0.53Ga0.47As/In0.52Al 0.48As(111)A quantum-well structures. The electron density in the near-surface region of the quantum well could be controlled through modulation doping. Spectra of the electronic local density of states in the conduction band showed a clear step-like energy dependence that reveals the subband states. In spectra acquired at some areas of nanometer size, peaks were observed near subband minima, indicating the existence of bound states. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd.