Tuning Surface Charge and Defects in Zinc Oxide Crystals Via Low-Energy Electron Irradiation
摘要
Abstract
This work describes research on how zinc oxide (ZnO) crystals behave when bombarded with low-energy electrons (up to 600 eV). The key finding is that the energy of the electrons strongly affects what happens on the surface of the ZnO. We have identified specific electron energies that cause negative charge to build up on the surface, remove existing charge, and create gaps where oxygen atoms used to be. It was determined that depending on the energy of electrons, it is possible to tune the surface charge, which can be used for technological purposes. This knowledge could be crucial for developing new methods of creating thin films and two-dimensional structures made from ZnO, by controlling the charge of the surface.