Abstract
Using reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), we unveil a direct correlation between the thickness-dependent oscillatory charge spilling of quantum-well states in epitaxial Mg(0001) films, and the linear dispersion coefficient of the monopole surface plasmon mode. In addition, the spectral intensities of the photoemission threshold excitation and multipole surface plasmon mode follow a similar but mutually anticorrelated quantum oscillatory pattern. These oscillatory features of the collective response are attributed to quantum oscillations in the ground-state charge-density profile, specifically its decay into the vacuum. Because the decay lengths can be controlled through the quantum-size effects and appropriate choice of the quantum-size boundary conditions, these insights are expected to be significant in the design of quantum-sized plasmonic devices.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 115416 |
| Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
| Volume | 90 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 12 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering Division. G.L. acknowledges supports from National Research Foundation grant funded by the Korean Government (Grant No. R11-2008-053-02001-0 through the Quantum Metamaterials Research Center) This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering Division. G.L. acknowledges supports from National Research Foundation grant funded by the Korean Government (Grant No. R11-2008-053-02001-0 through the Quantum Metamaterials Research Center).