Three-dimensional quantum size effects in Au islands on MoS2

TL;DR

This study reveals three-dimensional quantum size effects in gold islands on MoS2, showing how quantum confinement influences island height and stability, with implications for electronic growth modes at metal-layered semiconductor interfaces.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of fully three-dimensional quantum confinement effects in Au islands on MoS2 and their impact on island morphology and growth stability.

Findings

Preferred island heights with ~2 nm periodicity

Quantum effects persist at high temperatures

Potential for electronic growth mode exploration

Abstract

Quantum confinement was found to play a critical role in the formation of Au(111) islands grown on the surface of MoS2. These confinement effects are fully three dimensional, with a strong correlation to the relatively large Fermi wavelength associated with the Au(111) planes. The confinement effects result in preferred heights with a periodicity of nearly 2 nm and persist to much higher temperatures than are typically seen in electronic growth mode systems. These findings indicate the potential to explore electronic growth modes in a new class of systems based on metal - layered semiconductor interfaces.