Orientation Controlled Schottky Barrier Formation at Au Nanoparticle-SrTiO3 Interfaces

In this paper, the electrical transport of Au nanoparticle/SrTiO3 nanointerfaces has been studied. The fabrication method detailed creates atomically smooth SrTiO3 substrate and controlled Au nanoparticle morphologies to create two unique interfaces. The two interfaces are identifiable in atomic force microscope images allowing us to compare variations in the electronic structure using scanning force spectroscopy. By combining AC imaging with scanning force spectroscopy, the interfaces are effectively probed and left undisturbed. The ideality factor and Schottky barrier height are obtained and compared with one orientation exhibiting deviations from thermionic emission theory while the other showing strong similarities to large area Schottky contacts. It is thus shown that controlling the interface structure is of utmost importance to controlling nanoscale Schottky barriers.