Local probe methods can be used to measure nanoscale surface conductivity, but some techniques including nanoscale four point probe rely on at least two of the probes forming the same low resistivity non-rectifying contact to the sample. Here, the role of probe shank oxide has been examined by carrying out contact and non-contact I V measurements on GaAs when the probe oxide has been controllably reduced, both experimentally and in simulation. In contact, the barrier height is pinned but the barrier shape changes with probe shank oxide dimensions. In non-contact measurements, the oxide modifies the electrostatic interaction inducing a quantum dot that alters the tunneling behavior. For both, the contact resistance change is dependent on polarity, which violates the assumption required for four point probe to remove probe contact resistance from the measured conductivity. This has implications for all nanoscale surface probe measurements and macroscopic four point probe, both in air and vacuum, where the role of probe oxide contamination is not well understood.
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7 May 2015
Research Article|
May 04 2015
The role of probe oxide in local surface conductivity measurements
C. J. Barnett;
C. J. Barnett
1Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, College of Engineering,
Swansea University
, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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O. Kryvchenkova;
O. Kryvchenkova
1Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, College of Engineering,
Swansea University
, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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L. S. J. Wilson;
L. S. J. Wilson
1Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, College of Engineering,
Swansea University
, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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T. G. G. Maffeis;
T. G. G. Maffeis
1Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, College of Engineering,
Swansea University
, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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K. Kalna;
K. Kalna
2Electronic Systems Design Centre, College of Engineering,
Swansea University
, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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R. J. Cobley
R. J. Cobley
1Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, College of Engineering,
Swansea University
, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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J. Appl. Phys. 117, 174306 (2015)
Article history
Received:
March 23 2015
Accepted:
April 22 2015
Citation
C. J. Barnett, O. Kryvchenkova, L. S. J. Wilson, T. G. G. Maffeis, K. Kalna, R. J. Cobley; The role of probe oxide in local surface conductivity measurements. J. Appl. Phys. 7 May 2015; 117 (17): 174306. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4919662
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