| title: | X-ray spectroscopy of insulating films |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF6536 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| status: | accepted |
| institution: | Institute of Physics at University of Tartu |
| head of project: | Arvo Kikas |
| duration: | 01.01.2005 - 31.12.2008 |
| description: | The aim of the proposed project is to investigate the properties of thin insulating films through the study of the energy spectra of the decay products of soft-X-ray induced inner-shell excitations. The objects of study are alkali halide and metal oxide films, for the interpretation of the spectra the comparison of the spectra of thin films, solids and molecules will be used The studies of oxide films are motivated by the use of these in microelectronics and as gas sensors (ZrO2, HfO2) or as radiation-proof scintillators (MgO, BeO). Alkali halide films are known as good insulators. The methods of study will be X-ray photoabsorption, photoelectron-, Auger-, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopies and time-of-flight mass-spectroscopy. As excitation sources an X-ray tube (a laboratory source with discrete spectrum) and monochromatised synchrotron radiation (a tunable excitation source) will be used. In the framework of this project the surface science station, centered around a Scienta-Gammadata SES-100 photoelectron spectrometer, will be assembled and used for the studies. For the interpretation of the experimental results theoretical calculations will be carried out. The proposed study will concentrate on the following topics: -Photoelectron and auger spectroscopy of alkali halide films: charge transfer and hybridisation effects at the interface between the metal substrate and alkali halide films; - Photoelectron spectroscopy of oxide films, prepared by atomic layer deposition: the study of the initial stage of formation of the films, the formation interface between the silicon substrate and the film; -The development of methods of preparation of stoichiometric alkali halide layers; -The resonantly excited X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy study of the (bulk) electronic structure of oxides; -The time-of-flight mass-spectroscopy study of the fragmentation of molecules under irradatiation; -The development of computational programs for the inner-shell studies. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Arvo Kikas | Institute of Physics at University of Tartu | Head of Laboratory | |
| 2. | Vambola Kisand | Institute of Physics at University of Tartu | post doctoral researcher | |
| 3. | Tanel Käämbre | Institute of Physics at University of Tartu | post-doc | |
| 4. | Ergo Nõmmiste | Institute of Physics at University of Tartu | Director | |
| 5. | Rein Ruus | Institute of Physics at University of Tartu | Scientist | |
| 6. | Agu Saar | Institute of Physics at University of Tartu | senior scientist | |