Advanced Materials, Vol.21, No.48, 4966-4966, 2009
Interface Atomic-Scale Structure and Its Impact on Quantum Electron Transport
Local structure, chemistry, and bonding at interfaces often radically affect the properties of materials. A combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy and density functional theory calculations reveals an atomic layer of carbon at a SiC/Ti3SiC2 interface in Ohmic contact to p-type SiC (see image), which results in stronger adhesion, a lowered Schottky barrier, and enhanced transport. This is a key factor to understanding the origin of the Ohmic nature.