Spatially resolved one-dimensional boundary states in graphene-hexagonal boron nitride planar heterostructures.
Two-dimensional interfaces between crystalline materials have been shown to generate unusual interfacial electronic states in complex oxides. Recently, a one-dimensional interface has been realized in hexagonal boron nitride and graphene planar heterostructures, where a polar-on-nonpolar one-dimensional boundary is expected to possess peculiar electronic states associated with edge states of graphene and the polarity of boron nitride. Here we present a combined scanning tunnelling microscopy and first-principles theory study of the graphene-boron nitride boundary to provide a first glimpse into the spatial and energetic distributions of the one-dimensional boundary states down to atomic resolution. The revealed boundary states are about 0.6 eV below or above the Fermi level depending on the termination of the boron nitride at the boundary, and are extended along but localized at the boundary. These results suggest that unconventional physical effects similar to those observed at two-dimensional interfaces can also exist in lower dimensions.
1] Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA [2].
Jewook
J
Park
1] Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA [2].
Jaekwang
J
Lee
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA.
Lei
L
Liu
Central Methodist University, Fayette, Missouri 65248, USA.
Kendal W
KW
Clark
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Corentin
C
Durand
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Changwon
C
Park
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Bobby G
BG
Sumpter
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Arthur P
AP
Baddorf
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA.
Ali
A
Mohsin
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Mina
M
Yoon
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA.
Gong
G
Gu
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
An-Ping
AP
Li