Kovalev, A. I. , Wainstein, D. L. , Rashkovskiy, A. Yu. , Gago, R. , Soldera, F. , ENDRINO ARMENTEROS, JOSÉ LUIS, Fox-Rabinovich, G. S.
Si
J. Nanomater.
Article
Científica
1.758
0.392
01/01/2015
000352399000001
2-s2.0-84926442678
Transformations of the electronic structure in thin silver layers in metal-dielectric (TiAlN/Ag) multilayer nanocomposite were investigated by a set of electron spectroscopy techniques. Localization of the electronic states in the valence band and reduction of electron concentration in the conduction band was observed. This led to decreasing metallic properties of silver in the thin films. A critical layer thickness of 23.5 nm associated with the development of quantum effects was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Scanning Auger electron microscopy of characteristic energy losses provided images of plasmon localization in the Ag layers. The nonuniformity of plasmon intensities distribution near the metal-nitride interfaces was assessed experimentally.
Auger electron spectroscopy; Electron spectroscopy; Electronic structure; Energy dissipation; Film preparation; Plasmons; Quantum electronics; Quantum theory; Scanning electron microscopy; Silver; Characteristic energy; Critical layer thickness; Electron concentration; Metal dielectrics; Metallic properties; Nanostructured metals; Quantum effects; Scanning auger electron microscopies; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy