Unified theory of point–defect electronic states, core excitons, and intrinsic electronic states at semiconductor surfaces

Abstract

A simple unified theory has been developed for predicting three different types of electronic states at semiconductor surfaces: (i) point–defect states, (ii) core excitons, and (iii) intrinsic surface states. The predictions are in agreement with experiment for each class of states. The theory indicates that Fermi level pinning at III–V semiconductor interfaces is usually caused by surface antisite defects.