Radial band structure of electrons in liquid metals.
The electronic band structure of a liquid metal was investigated by measuring precisely the evolution of angle-resolved photoelectron spectra during the melting of a Pb monolayer on a Si(111) surface. We found that the liquid monolayer exhibits a free-electron-like band and it undergoes a coherent radial scattering, imposed by the radial correlation of constituent atoms, to form a characteristic secondary hole band. These unique double-radial bands and their gradual evolution during melting can be quantitatively reproduced, including detailed spectral intensity profiles, with our radial scattering model based on a theoretical prediction of 1962. Our result establishes the radial band structure as a key concept for describing the nature of electrons in strongly disordered states of matter.
Center for Atomic Wires and Layers, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea.
Keun Su
KS
Kim
Han Woong
HW
Yeom