A probe of intrinsic valence band electronic structure: Hard x-ray photoemission

Abstract

Hard x-ray valence band photoemission spectroscopy (PES) is realized using high-energy and high-brilliance synchrotron radiation. High-energy (∼6 keV) excitation results in larger probing depths of photoelectrons compared to conventional PES, and enables a study of intrinsic electronic property of materials in actual device structures much less influenced by surface condition. With this technique, requirements for surface preparation are greatly reduced, if not eliminated. It is a nondestructive tool to determine electronic structure from surface to genuine bulk as shown by a study on SiO2/Si(100). Electronic structure modification related to the ferromagnetism in the diluted magnetic semiconductor Ga0.96Mn0.04N is also observed.