Berlin 2018 – scientific programme
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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik
O 59: Nanostructures at surfaces: 1D and 2D structures and networks I
O 59.8: Talk
Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 12:15–12:30, MA 141
Below 2D: Design and characterization of electronic fractals — •Marlou Slot1, Sander Kempkes2, Saoirsé Freeney1, Stephan Zevenhuizen1, Daniel Vanmaekelbergh1, Ingmar Swart2, and Cristiane Morais Smith1 — 1Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Netherlands — 2Institute for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht University, Netherlands
The dimensionality and geometry of a quantum system are decisive factors for its electronic properties. So far, research has focused on systems with integer dimensions, ranging from 0D to 3D. However, very little is known about the properties of electrons in fractional dimensions. This is because geometric fractals, although pervasive in our everyday life, remain elusive in the quantum world. One possible route to create electronic quantum fractals is by confining the surface state electrons of Cu(111) by accurate positioning of adsorbed CO molecules [1,2]. Here, we realize and characterize an electronic Sierpiński triangle fractal with dimension 1.58. Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy and wave-function mapping, we observe single-electron wave functions with a fractal dimension derived from the Sierpiński geometry. These results bear importance for the understanding of the transport properties of and charge storage in fractal-like structures, opening the path to fractal-dimension electronics in a systematic and controlled manner.
1. K.K. Gomes et al., Nature 483, 306-310 (2012)
2. M.R. Slot et al., Nature Physics 13, 672-676 (2017)