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Yu. S. Dedkov

Publications and source records attributed to Yu. S. Dedkov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Direct growth of low-doped graphene on Ge/Si(001) surfaces

The practical difficulties to use graphene in microelectronics and optoelectronics is that the available methods to grow graphene are not easily integrated in the mainstream technologies. A growth method that could overcome at least some of these problems is chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of graphene directly on semiconducting (Si or Ge) substrates. Here we report on the comparison of the CVD and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth of graphene on the technologically relevant Ge(001)/Si(001) substrate from ethene (C$_2$H$_4$) precursor and describe the physical properties of the films as well as we discuss the surface reaction and diffusion processes that may be responsible for the observed behavior. Using nano angle resolved photoemission (nanoARPES) complemented by transport studies and Raman spectroscopy, we report the direct observation of massless Dirac particles in monolayer graphene, providing a comprehensive mapping of their low-hole doped Dirac electron bands. The micrometric graphene flakes are oriented along two predominant directions rotated by $30^\circ$ with respect to each other. The growth mode is attributed to the mechanism when small graphene "molecules" nucleate on the Ge(001) surface and it is found that hydrogen plays a significant role in this process.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Structural and electronic properties of epitaxial multilayer h-BN on Ni(111) for spintronics applications

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a promising material for implementation in spintronics due to a large band gap, low spin-orbit coupling, and a small lattice mismatch to graphene and to close-packed surfaces of fcc-Ni(111) and hcp-Co(0001). Epitaxial deposition of h-BN on ferromagnetic metals is aimed at small interface scattering of charge and spin carriers. We report on the controlled growth of h-BN/Ni(111) by means of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Structural and electronic properties of this system are investigated using cross-section transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron spectroscopies which confirm good agreement with the properties of bulk h-BN. The latter are also corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, revealing that the first h-BN layer at the interface to Ni is metallic. Our investigations demonstrate that MBE is a promising, versatile alternative to both the exfoliation approach and chemical vapour deposition of h-BN.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Electronic and magnetic properties of the graphene/Eu/Ni(111) hybrid system

The electronic and magnetic properties of the graphene/Eu/Ni(111) intercalation-like system are studied in the framework of the GGA+U approach with dispersive interactions taken into account. Intercalation of monoatomic Eu layer underneath graphene on Ni(111) leads to the drastic changes of the electronic structure of graphene compared to free-standing graphene as well as graphene/Ni(111). The strong influence of the spin-polarised Eu 4f states, crossing the graphene-derived $π$ states, on magnetic properties of graphene and on spin-filtering properties of the graphene/Eu/Ni(111) trilayer is discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Understanding the origin of band gap formation in graphene on metals: graphene on Cu/Ir(111)

Understanding the nature of the interaction at the graphene/metal interfaces is the basis for graphene-based electron- and spin-transport devices. Here we investigate the hybridization between graphene- and metal-derived electronic states by studying the changes induced through intercalation of a pseudomorphic monolayer of Cu in between graphene and Ir(111), using scanning tunnelling microscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy in combination with density functional theory calculations. We observe the modifications in the band structure by the intercalation process and its concomitant changes in the charge distribution at the interface. Through a state-selective analysis of band hybridization, we are able to determine their contributions to the valence band of graphene giving rise to the gap opening. Our methodology reveals the mechanisms that are responsible for the modification of the electronic structure of graphene at the Dirac point, and permits to predict the electronic structure of other graphene-metal interfaces.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

General approach to the understanding the electronic structure of graphene on metals

This manuscript presents the general approach to the understanding of the connection between bonding mechanism and electronic structure of graphene on metals. To demonstrate its validity, two limiting cases of the "weakly" and "strongly" bonded graphene on Al(111) and Ni(111) are considered, where the Dirac cone is preserved or fully destroyed, respectively. Furthermore, the electronic structure, i. e. doping level, hybridization effects, as well as a gap formation at the Dirac point of the intermediate system, graphene/Cu(111), is fully understood in the framework of the proposed approach. This work summarises the long-term debates regarding connection of the bonding strength and the valence band modification in the graphene/metal systems and paves a way for the effective control of the electronic states of graphene in the vicinity of the Fermi level.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Multichannel scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy of graphene moire structures

The graphene moire structures on metals, as they demonstrate both long (moire) and short (atomic) scale ordered structures, are the ideal systems for the application of scanning probe methods. Here we present the complex studies of the graphene/Ir(111) system by means of 3D scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscopy/spectroscopy as well as Kelvin-probe force microscopy. All results clearly demonstrate a variation of the moire and atomic scale contrasts as a function of the bias voltage as well as the distance between the scanning probe and the sample, allowing to discriminate between topographic and electronic contributions in the imaging of a graphene layer on metals. The presented results are accompanied by the state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations demonstrating the excellent agreement between theoretical and experimental data.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Theoretical description of X-ray absorption spectroscopy of the graphene-metal interfaces

The present manuscript considers the application of the method of the near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS) for the investigation of the graphene-based systems (from free-standing graphene to the metal-intercalation-like systems). The NEXAFS spectra for the selected systems are calculated in the framework of the approach, which includes the effects of the dynamic core-hole screening. The presented spectral changes from system to system are analysed with the help of the corresponding band-structure calculations. The obtained results are compared with available experimental data demonstrating the excellent agreement between theory and experiment. The direct correlation between the strength of the graphene interaction with the metallic substrate and the spectral distributions (shape and intensities of π* and σ* features in the C K NEXAFS spectra) is found that can be taken as a fingerprint for the description of interaction at the graphene/metal interface.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Specific many-electron effects in X-ray spectra of simple metals and graphene

In this work the influence of many-electron effects on the shape of characteristic X-ray emission bands of the simple metals Mg and Al are examined by means of ab initio calculations and semi-empirical models. These approaches are also used for the analysis of C K-emission and absorption spectra of graphene. Both, the dynamical screening of the core vacancy and the Auger-effect in the valence band (VB) have been taken into account. Dynamical screening of the core vacancy by valence electrons (the so-called MND effect) is considered ab initio in the framework of density functional theory. The Auger effect in VB was taken into account within a semi-empirical method, approximating the quadratic dependence of the VB hole level width on the difference between the level energy and the Fermi energy. All theoretical spectra are in very good agreement with available experimental data.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Electronic structure, imaging contrast and chemical reactivity of graphene moiré on metals

Realization of graphene moiré superstructures on the surface of 4d and 5d transition metals offers templates with periodically modulated electron density, which is responsible for a number of fascinating effects, including the formation of quantum dots and the site selective adsorption of organic molecules or metal clusters on graphene. Here, applying the combination of scanning probe microscopy/spectroscopy and the density functional theory calculations, we gain a profound insight into the electronic and topographic contributions to the imaging contrast of the epitaxial graphene/Ir(111) system. We show directly that in STM imaging the electronic contribution is prevailing compared to the topographic one. In the force microscopy and spectroscopy experiments we observe a variation of the interaction strength between the tip and high-symmetry places within the graphene moiré supercell, which determine the adsorption cites for molecules or metal clusters on graphene/Ir(111).

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Graphene on metallic surfaces: problems and perspectives

The present manuscript summarizes the modern view on the problem of the graphene-metal interaction. Presently, the close-packed surfaces of d metals are used as templates for the preparation of highly-ordered graphene layers. Different classifications can be introduced for these systems: graphene on lattice-matched and graphene on lattice-mismatched surfaces where the interaction with the metallic substrate can be either "strong" or "weak". Here these classifications, with the focus on the specific features in the electronic structure in all cases, are considered on the basis of large amounts of experimental and theoretical data, summarized and discussed. The perspectives of the graphene-metal interface in fundamental and applied physics and chemistry are pointed out.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Graphene on Rh(111): STM and AFM studies

The electronic and crystallographic structure of the graphene/Rh(111) moiré lattice is studied via combination of density-functional theory calculations and scanning tunneling and atomic force microscopy (STM and AFM). Whereas the principal contrast between hills and valleys observed in STM does not depend on the sign of applied bias voltage, the contrast in atomically resolved AFM images strongly depends on the frequency shift of the oscillating AFM tip. The obtained results demonstrate the perspectives of application atomic force microscopy/spectroscopy for the probing of the chemical contrast at the surface.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

EELS study of the epitaxial graphene/Ni(111) and graphene/Au/Ni(111) systems

We have performed electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) studies of Ni(111), graphene/Ni(111), and the graphene/Au/Ni(111) intercalation-like system at different primary electron energies. A reduced parabolic dispersion of the πplasmon excitation for the graphene/Ni(111) system is observed compared to that for bulk pristine and intercalated graphite and to linear for free graphene, reflecting the strong changes in the electronic structure of graphene on Ni(111) relative to free-standing graphene. We have also found that intercalation of gold underneath a graphene layer on Ni(111) leads to the disappearance of the EELS spectral features which are characteristic of the graphene/Ni(111) interface. At the same time the shift of the πplasmon to the lower loss-energies is observed, indicating the transition of initial system of strongly bonded graphene on Ni(111) to a quasi free-standing-like graphene state.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Structural and electronic properties of the graphene/Al/Ni(111) intercalation-like system

Decoupling of the graphene layer from the ferromagnetic substrate via intercalation of sp metal has recently been proposed as an effective way to realize single-layer graphene-based spin-filter. Here, the structural and electronic properties of the prototype system, graphene/Al/Ni(111), are investigated via combination of electron diffraction and spectroscopic methods. These studies are accompanied by state-of-the-art electronic structure calculations. The properties of this prospective Al-intercalation-like system and its possible implementations in future graphene-based devices are discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Towards an ideal graphene-based spin-filter

The Fe$_3$O$_4$(111)/graphene/Ni(111) trilayer is proposed to be used as an ideal spin-filtering sandwich where the half-metallic properties of magnetite are used. Thin magnetite layers on graphene/Ni(111) were prepared via successive oxidation of thin iron layer predeposited on graphene/Ni(111) and formed system was investigated by means of low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) of core levels as well as valence band. The electronic structure and structural quality of the graphene film sandwiched between two ferromagnetic layers remains unchanged upon magnetite formation as confirmed by LEED and PES data.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Graphene on ferromagnetic surfaces and its functionalization with water and ammonia

Here we present an angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES), x-ray absorption spec-troscopy (XAS), and density-functional theory (DFT) investigations of water and ammonia ad-sorption on graphene/Ni(111). Our results on graphene/Ni(111) reveal the existence of interface states, originating from the strong hybridization of the graphene π and spin-polarized Ni 3d valence band states. ARPES and XAS data of the H2O (NH3)/graphene/Ni(111) system give an information about the kind of interaction between adsorbed molecules and graphene on Ni(111). The presented experimental data are compared with the results obtained in the framework of the DFT approach.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Electronic structure and magnetic properties of the graphene/Fe/Ni(111) intercalation-like system

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of the graphene/Fe/Ni(111) system were investigated via combination of the density functional theory calculations and electron-spectroscopy methods. This system was prepared via intercalation of thin Fe layer (1 ML) underneath graphene on Ni(111) and its inert properties were verified by means of photoelectron spectroscopy. Intercalation of iron in the space between graphene and Ni(111) changes drastically the magnetic response from the graphene layer that is explained by the formation of the highly spin-polarized $3d_{z^2}$ quantum-well state in the thin iron layer.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Spatial corrugation and bonding of single layer graphene on Rh(111)

Topographic scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images of epitaxial single layer graphene on the Rh(111) surface reveal that extended single crystalline graphene domains are produced without any defects on a large scale. High resolution imaging shows that the moiré structure resulting from the lattice mismatch between the Rh(111) substrate and graphene is highly corrugated, containing regions of an additional spatial modulation in the moiré supercell compared with those previously reported for graphene on Ir(111) or graphene on Ru(0001). These areas, which correspond to the "bridge" regions of the moiré structure appear as depressions in STM images indicating a strong orbital hybridization between the graphene layer and the metallic substrate. Valence-band photoemission confirms the strong hybridization between graphene and Rh(111) which leads to the pronounced corrugation of the graphene layer. Our findings underline the importance of considering substrate effects in epitaxially grown graphene layers for the design of graphene-based nanoscale systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci