Quantum well states in metallic films

Ultrathin metal films are simple and transparent realizations of one-dimensional quantum wells. Valence electrons are free to move in the x,y plane of the film, while bouncing back and forth between the surface and the interface in the z direction. Such quantum confinement leads to a strong modulation of the density of states at the Fermi energy, giving rise to thickness-dependent, exotic physical properties. Research in Metallic Quantum Wells using Angle Resolved Photoemission is carried out in the Nanophysics Lab since the early days. Now is focused on subtrate interface engineering, namely the ability to modify the deeply lying substrate interface to finely tune quantum well spectra.

Quantum Well fringes in a Mg/W(100) thin film, as observed in Angle Resolved Photoemission.