Scanning Tunneling Microspectroscopy of Solids and Surfaces - Final Report

Experimental and theoretical research on the bulk and surface properties of conductive solid state materials has been performed based on the techniques of scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy, often at cryogenic temperatures. The research has focused on the electronic properties, particularly the superconductivity, of high temperature superconductors and other layered systems. The superconducting electronic density of states N(E)=dI/dV of the high T{sub c} superconductor Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8+{delta}} was measured with spatial resolution of 5 A at 4.2K. An internal superconducting proximity effect was inferred to operate between Cu and Bi based layers of the crystal in those regions where the Bi layers are metallic in nature. This research project supported the thesis research of several young scientists, and led to a significant number of published papers, presentations and reports