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Direct observation of many-body charge density oscillations in a two-dimensional electron gas

Author

Listed:
  • Paolo Sessi

    (Physikalisches Institut, Experimentelle Physik II, Universität Würzburg)

  • Vyacheslav M. Silkin

    (Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC)
    Universidad del País Vasco
    IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science)

  • Ilya A. Nechaev

    (Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC)
    Centro de Física de Materiales CFM-Materials Physics Center MPC, Centro Mixto CSIC-UPV/EHU
    Tomsk State University
    Saint Petersburg State University)

  • Thomas Bathon

    (Physikalisches Institut, Experimentelle Physik II, Universität Würzburg)

  • Lydia El-Kareh

    (Physikalisches Institut, Experimentelle Physik II, Universität Würzburg)

  • Evgueni V. Chulkov

    (Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC)
    Universidad del País Vasco
    Centro de Física de Materiales CFM-Materials Physics Center MPC, Centro Mixto CSIC-UPV/EHU
    Tomsk State University)

  • Pedro M. Echenique

    (Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC)
    Universidad del País Vasco
    Centro de Física de Materiales CFM-Materials Physics Center MPC, Centro Mixto CSIC-UPV/EHU)

  • Matthias Bode

    (Physikalisches Institut, Experimentelle Physik II, Universität Würzburg
    Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen-Center for Complex Material Systems (RCCM), Universität Würzburg)

Abstract

Quantum interference is a striking manifestation of one of the basic concepts of quantum mechanics: the particle-wave duality. A spectacular visualization of this effect is the standing wave pattern produced by elastic scattering of surface electrons around defects, which corresponds to a modulation of the electronic local density of states and can be imaged using a scanning tunnelling microscope. To date, quantum-interference measurements were mainly interpreted in terms of interfering electrons or holes of the underlying band-structure description. Here, by imaging energy-dependent standing-wave patterns at noble metal surfaces, we reveal, in addition to the conventional surface-state band, the existence of an ‘anomalous’ energy band with a well-defined dispersion. Its origin is explained by the presence of a satellite in the structure of the many-body spectral function, which is related to the acoustic surface plasmon. Visualizing the corresponding charge oscillations provides thus direct access to many-body interactions at the atomic scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Sessi & Vyacheslav M. Silkin & Ilya A. Nechaev & Thomas Bathon & Lydia El-Kareh & Evgueni V. Chulkov & Pedro M. Echenique & Matthias Bode, 2015. "Direct observation of many-body charge density oscillations in a two-dimensional electron gas," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9691
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9691
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