Theory of real space imaging of Fermi surfaces

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for using scanning tunneling microscopy to visualize Fermi surfaces in real space by analyzing electron scattering from buried impurities, revealing how Fermi surfaces focus electrons like mirrors.

Contribution

It introduces a stationary phase approximation-based theory that explains how Fermi surfaces can be imaged in real space through electron scattering patterns.

Findings

Fermi surfaces act as mirrors focusing scattered electrons

Buried impurities can be used as local probes for Fermi surface imaging

The theory explains the real-space visualization of Fermi surfaces

Abstract

A scanning tunneling microscope can be used to visualize in real space Fermi surfaces with buried impurities far below substrates acting as local probes. A theory describing this feature is developed based on the stationary phase approximation. It is demonstrated how a Fermi surface of a material acts as a mirror focusing electrons that scatter at hidden impurities.