Surface physics, thin films

Electronic nature of size effects in O$_2$-Yb-Si(111) film structures

M. V. Kuzmin

Ioffe Institute, St. Petersburg

Abstract: Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the effect of the nanoadsorbent size (ytterbium film thickness ranging from $\sim$0.8 to 12.2 nm) on the properties of the adsorbed molecular oxygen layer, in particular, the saturate coverage, and the adsorption configuration and polarization of molecules on the surface, has been studied. It is shown that the size dependences obtained are due to electronic processes in the bulk and at the surface of ytterbium, occurring during the formation of bonding between the nanofilm and the adsorption layer. The results appear important for the development of physical principles and methods for creating materials with tailored properties.

Keywords: adsorbed layer, nanoadsorbent, oxygen, ytterbium, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Received: 12.05.2025
Revised: 13.05.2025
Accepted: 13.05.2025

DOI: 10.61011/FTT.2025.05.60754.111-25

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