Tuning of one-dimensional plasmons by Ag-Doping in Ag-√3-ordered atomic wires

Abstract

We generated arrays of silver wires with a height of 1 atom and an average width of 11 atoms on the Si(557) surface via self-assembly with local √3 x √3 order, and investigated the 1D plasmon formation in them using a combination of high-resolution electron loss spectroscopy with low-energy electron diffraction. After a series of thermal desorption experiments followed by adding small concentrations of Ag, pure Ag-√3 ordered arrays of nanowires, separated by (113) facets, are intrinsically semi metallic or semiconducting, i.e., the metallicity of the Ag wires seems to be caused by excess atoms added to the (locally) perfectly ordered √3 x √3 layer. The proof has been carried out by post-adsorption of Ag atoms in the range between 0.004 to 0.03 monolayers and the quantitative determination of the frequency dependence of the 1D plasmon due to this excess Ag concentration. As expected for a doping mechanism, there is no minimum excess concentration. The lack of temperature dependence is not compatible with the formation of an adatom gas in the second layer, but suggests extrinsic doping by adatoms bound at the stepped (113) facets. Although strong deviations from a nearly free electron gas are expected in 1D, the Ag concentration dependence of the 1D plasmonic losses is fully compatible with the √ne dependence predicted by this model. Adsorption of traces of residual gas can have a qualitatively similar doping effect.