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Controlling the screening process of a nanoscaled space charge region by minority carriers

Author

Listed:
  • Philipp Kloth

    (IV. physikalisches Institut, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen)

  • Katharina Kaiser

    (IV. physikalisches Institut, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen)

  • Martin Wenderoth

    (IV. physikalisches Institut, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen)

Abstract

The miniaturization of future electronic devices is intimately connected to the ability to control electric fields on the atomic scale. In a nanoscopic system defined by a limited number of charges, the combined dynamics of bound and free charges become important. Here we present a model system based on the electrostatic interaction between a metallic tip of a scanning tunnelling microscope and a GaAs(110) semiconductor surface. The system is driven out of equilibrium by optical excitation, which provides ambipolar free charge carriers, and by an optically induced unipolar tunnel current. This combination enables the active control of the density and spatial distribution of free and bound charge in the space-charge region, that is, modifying the screening processes. Temporal fluctuations of single dopants are modified, meaning we are able to control the noise of the system. It is found that free charge carriers suppress the noise level in field-controlled, nanoscopic systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Philipp Kloth & Katharina Kaiser & Martin Wenderoth, 2016. "Controlling the screening process of a nanoscaled space charge region by minority carriers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-6, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10108
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10108
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