Size effects on the electronic structure of ErSb nanoparticles embedded in the GaSb(001) surface

The dependence of the electronic structure of ErSb nanoparticles embedded in GaSb(001) surfaces on particle size is investigated by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. By varying growth conditions, the planar dimensions and surface termination of ErSb nanoparticles can be controlled. As the deposition temperature is raised, ErSb nanoparticles become increasingly elongated along the <-110 > directions due to anisotropic surface diffusion. The local density of states is measured by tunneling point spectroscopy. ErSb nanoparticles were found to be semimetallic with no discernible band gap, despite predictions from finite potential quantum confinement calculations that suggest the smallest particles should become semiconducting. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.035419