We directly visualize the three-dimensional (3D) geometry and dynamics of silicon impurities in graphene as well as their dynamics by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. By acquiring images when the sample is tilted, we show that an asymmetry of the atomic position of the heteroatom in the projection reveals the non-planarity of the structure. From a sequence of images, we further demonstrate that the Si atom switches between up- and down- configurations with respect to the graphene plane, with an asymmetric cross-section. We further analyze the 3D structure and dynamics of a silicon tetramer in graphene. Our results clarify the out-of-plane structure of impurities in graphene by direct experimental observation and open a route to study their dynamics in three dimensions.
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4 February 2019
Research Article|
February 04 2019
Direct visualization of the 3D structure of silicon impurities in graphene
Christoph Hofer
;
Christoph Hofer
a)
1
Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
2
Institute for Applied Physics, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen
, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany
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Viera Skakalova
;
Viera Skakalova
1
Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Mohammad R. A. Monazam;
Mohammad R. A. Monazam
1
Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Clemens Mangler;
Clemens Mangler
1
Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Jani Kotakoski
;
Jani Kotakoski
1
Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Toma Susi
;
Toma Susi
1
Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Jannik C. Meyer
Jannik C. Meyer
a)
1
Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
2
Institute for Applied Physics, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen
, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany
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a)
Electronic addresses: christoph.hofer@uni-tuebingen.de, jannik.meyer@uni-tuebingen.de
Appl. Phys. Lett. 114, 053102 (2019)
Article history
Received:
September 27 2018
Accepted:
January 15 2019
Citation
Christoph Hofer, Viera Skakalova, Mohammad R. A. Monazam, Clemens Mangler, Jani Kotakoski, Toma Susi, Jannik C. Meyer; Direct visualization of the 3D structure of silicon impurities in graphene. Appl. Phys. Lett. 4 February 2019; 114 (5): 053102. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5063449
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