\documentclass[10pt]{article} \usepackage{graphicx} \usepackage{caption} \usepackage{amsmath} % needed for math align \usepackage{bm} % needed for maths bold face \usepackage{graphicx} % needed for including graphics e.g. EPS, PS \usepackage{fancyhdr} % needed for header %\usepackage{epstopdf} % Needed for eps graphics \usepackage{hyperref} \usepackage{lscape} % Needed for landscaping stuff - when printing \usepackage{pdflscape} % Needed for landscaping - in pdf viewer \topmargin -1.5cm % read Lamport p.163 \oddsidemargin -0.04cm % read Lamport p.163 \evensidemargin -0.04cm % same as oddsidemargin but for left-hand pages \textwidth 16.59cm \textheight 21.94cm %\pagestyle{empty} % Uncomment if don't want page numbers \parskip 7.2pt % sets spacing between paragraphs %\renewcommand{\baselinestretch}{1.5} % Uncomment for 1.5 spacing between lines \parindent 0pt % sets leading space for paragraphs \newcommand{\vect}[1]{\boldsymbol{#1}} % Draw a vector \newcommand{\divg}[1]{\nabla \cdot #1} % divergence \newcommand{\curl}[1]{\nabla \times #1} % curl \newcommand{\grad}[1]{\nabla #1} %gradient \newcommand{\pd}[3][ ]{\frac{\partial^{#1} #2}{\partial #3^{#1}}} %partial derivative \newcommand{\der}[3][ ]{\frac{d^{#1} #2}{d #3^{#1}}} %full derivative \newcommand{\phasor}[1]{\tilde{#1}} % make a phasor \newcommand{\laplacian}[1]{\nabla^2 {#1}} % The laplacian operator \usepackage{color} \usepackage{listings} \definecolor{darkgray}{rgb}{0.95,0.95,0.95} \definecolor{darkred}{rgb}{0.75,0,0} \definecolor{darkblue}{rgb}{0,0,0.75} \definecolor{pink}{rgb}{1,0.5,0.5} \lstset{language=Java} \lstset{backgroundcolor=\color{darkgray}} \lstset{numbers=left, numberstyle=\tiny, stepnumber=1, numbersep=5pt} \lstset{keywordstyle=\color{darkred}\bfseries} \lstset{commentstyle=\color{darkblue}} %\lstset{stringsyle=\color{red}} \lstset{showstringspaces=false} \lstset{basicstyle=\small} \begin{document} \pagestyle{fancy} \fancyhead{} \fancyfoot{} \fancyhead[LO, L]{} \fancyfoot[CO, C]{\thepage} %\title{\bf Characterisation of nanostructured thin films} %\author{Sam Moore\\ School of Physics, University of Western Australia} %\date{April 2012} %\maketitle \section{Total Current Spectroscopy} \label{tcs} \subsection{Description of Method} \emph{TODO: Put in ``Experimental Methods'' section} In Total Current Spectroscopy experiments, a current of primary electrons $I_1$ is directed at a target surface. Upon interacting with the surface, the primary electron beam is split into two components; the transmitted current $I$, and the secondary electron current $I_2$. The current of secondary electrons includes all electrons emergent from the surface, regardless of origin. Generally $I_2$ includes components formed from elastically and inelastically scattered primary electrons, as well as electrons originating from bound states which have gained sufficient energy to leave the surface. For any given mechanism behind the origin of an electron in $I_2$, there is an associated ``threshold'' primary electron energy which must be exceeded before the process can occur. As a result, measurement of changes in $I_2$ as a function of primary electron energy $E_1$ provides a very sensitive means to characterise properties of the sample under bombardment. The energy $E_1$ of primary electrons is controlled by adjustment of the potential $U$. \begin{center} \includegraphics[scale=0.60]{figures/tcs_simple} \captionof{figure}{ A simplified schematic of Total Current Spectroscopy Experiments } \label{tcs_simple.pdf} \end{center} Figure \ref{tcs_simple.pdf} shows a simplified schematic for a Total Current Spectroscopy experiment \footnote{For a more detailed description of the experimental setup, refer to Appendix \ref{}}. When a current is passed through the cathode, electrons are thermionically emitted with a distribution in initial velocities. A series of electrodes (an electron gun) creates a potential which focuses the emitted electrons into a beam and accelerates them towards the target. The transmitted current $I$ can be detected external to the vacuum chamber using a conventional DC ammeter\footnote{It is also possible to use lock-in amplifier techniques for noise reduction \cite{komolov}. In this study, the DC ammeter has been used due to the relative simplicity of the measurement and control circuit.}.\ The total current spectrum (TCS) is defined as: \begin{align*} S(E_1) &= \der{I}{E_1} = -\der{I_2}{E_1} \end{align*} This result assumes that the primary electron current $I_1$ is constant. Such an assumption is valid if the cathode has reached thermal equilibrium, and the potential due to the sample can be considered to have negligable effect on the focusing properties of the electron gun. The experimental goal of Total Current Spectroscopy is the measurement of $S(E_1) \propto \der{I_2}{E_1}$. More information on the experimental setup and techniques are presented in Appendix \ref{}. The remainder of this section will give an overview of concepts needed for relating $S(E_1)$ to properties of a sample. \subsubsection{Theory of Signal Formation in Total Current Spectroscopy Experiments} \label{tcs_theory1} Here we will summarise the approach of Komolov \cite{komolov} in constructing a theory relating $S(E_1)$ to scattering events within the target surface. % Contact potential A single electron arriving at the sample has energy $E = eU + c$, where $e$ is the electron charge, $U$ is the potential applied between the cathode and sample, and $c$ is a constant which includes the electron's energy relative to the sample when emitted. The minimum value for $c$ is the contact potential of the cathode relative to the sample. At the cathode, electrons are emitted with a distribution in energies about some mean value. A realistic model should take into account this distribution. If the primary electrons are incident perpendicular to the surface, then we can write $I$ as an integral over the whole distribution of energies: \begin{align*} I(E_1) = e A \int_0^{\infty} f(E - E_1) dE \end{align*} where $f(E - E_1)$ is the distribution for an electron of energy $E$ arriving at the surface. Generally $f(0)$ (ie: $E = E_1$) is the maximum of $f$. \emph{TODO: Discuss angular distribution of incident electrons, due to focusing of electron gun?} To formulate a general expression for the secondary current, we introduce a cross section $\sigma(E)$, which gives the probability for a primary electron of energy $E$ to give rise to a secondary electron (of any energy $E_2 <= E$). Then the total current of secondary electrons is: \begin{align*} I_2(E_1) &= e A \int_{0}^{\infty} f(E - E_1) \sigma(E) dE \end{align*} Using $I = I_1 - I_2$, and $S(E_1) = \der{I}{E_1}$, it is straight forward to arrive at a general expression for the total current spectrum \cite{komolov}: \begin{align*} S(E_1) &= e A \left\{ [ 1 - \sigma(0) ] f(-E_1) + \int_{0}^{\infty} f(E - E_1) \der{\sigma(E_1)}{E_1} dE \right\} \end{align*} All $E_1$ dependence in the first term is due soley to the distribution of primary electrons. It is clear that this term is maximised when $E_1 = 0$ with respect to the sample; ie: the contact potential between the cathode and sample is zero. The second term contains dependence upon $\der{\sigma(E_1)}{E_1}$. As $E_1$ is increased past the threshold for a particular interaction, $\sigma(E_1)$ will undergo a sharp change. This corresponds to a narrow maxima or minima in the derivative $\der{\sigma(E_1)}{E_1}$. A corresponding maxima or minima will appear in $S(E_1)$, centred about the threshold for the interaction. The convolution with the primary electron distribution $f(E - E_1)$ has the effect of broadening and lowering these peaks; in other words, the resolution of Total Current Spectroscopy is limited by the distribution of primary electrons. The (unphysical) case of a mono-energetic beam is equivelant to setting $f(E - E_1) = \delta(E - E_1)$. In this case, the integrals in the expressions for $I$ and $I_2$ collapse, and the resulting total current spectrum is: \begin{align*} S(E_1) &= \der{I}{E_1} = e A \frac{d}{dE_1} \left( 1 - \sigma(E_1) \right) = e A \der{\sigma(E_1)}{E_1} \end{align*} \subsection{Results} \subsubsection{Influence of Focusing on the Spectrum} The energy and angular distributions of the primary electron beam are ultimately limited by the properties of the cathode. However, the focusing effect of the electron gun plays a significant role in determining these distributions at the sample. Before performing experimental measurements on samples of interest, it is essential that the width of these distributions are minimised by the focusing of the electron gun. Figure \ref{} shows the measured current obtained from the same sample, for two different electron gun settings. The sample holder itself may contribute to the total current spectrum if any part is exposed to the primary electron beam. Figure \ref{} shows the total current spectrum obtained when an asymmetric potential applied to the deflection plates causes both the sample and the bottom of the sample holder to lie in the beam. It is clear that the first and second peaks in Figure \ref{} line up with the elastic scattering peaks of the sample and sample holder respectively as shown in Figure \ref{}. A more detailed discussion of the electron optics of the gun is included in Appendix \ref{}. \subsubsection{The effect of Evaporation of Au} Figure \ref{} shows a total current spectrum for an Si substrate immediately prior to evaporation of Au. \subsubsection{The effect of Evaporation of Black-Au} \pagebreak \emph{NOTE: The below sections will be put into appendices. For now I have kept them with the other TCS information for completeness} \subsection{Electron Optics} There are two goals of electron optics as applied to total current spectroscopy (and other forms of electron scattering experiments): firstly, to produce the narrowest possible distribution $f(E - E_1)$ of primary electron energies at the sample, and secondly, to ensure that The electron gun used for this study contains a total of ten electrodes, with six independently adjustable groups. Figure \ref{egun_simulation1.pdf} illustrates a cross section of the gun, using colour coding to indicate groups of electrodes which are kept at the same potential. The important electrode groups are, in order from left to right: \begin{enumerate} \item {\bf Wenhalt Cylindar} The first electrode, which houses the cathode, providing a narrow apparture for electrons to exit. A positive potential (of the order of $10V$ applied to the Wenhalt causes electrons leaving the cathode to be accelerated into a narrow beam. It is difficult to control the focusing properties of the gun using the Wenhalt alone; the main purpose of the Wenhalt is to create a high current, narrow beam of electrons, which can be focused by the other electrodes in the gun. If the potential applied to the Wenhalt is too high, electrons will be drawn into its surface. If the Wenhalt potential is too low, then the \item {\bf Einzel Lens } The six central electrodes are an example of an Einzel lens, used for acceleration and focusing of the electron beam. The first and last pair of electrodes are held at a large positive potential, causing electrons to accelerate. A smaller potential (often negative, but not necessarily) applied to the central pair of electrodes has the effect of altering the angular dispersion of the beam. \item {\bf Deflection Plates} Unequal potentials applied to the deflection plates can be used to bend the direction of the electron beam. To ensure the accelerating potential seen by the electrons is as uniform as possible, the deflection plates are biased at potentials of $\frac{V_d}{2} \pm V_a$, with $V_d$ determined by the controlling power supply. When $V_d = 0$, the beam is undeflected. \item {\bf Final Electrode} The electron gun was originally designed for use in a Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO). This electrode is held just in front of a flurescent screen, but is not electrically connected to the screen. When accellerated electrons strike the screen, they are In the total current spectroscopy experiments, this electrode is typically at a much higher potential than the surface under bombardment. As a result, low energy primary electrons may be deflected or even turned back towards the gun, rather than striking the surface. This effect can be exploited to narrow the energy distribution of primary electrons at the surface, but also has the effect of greatly reducing the current of primary electrons reaching the surface. \end{enumerate} In preparation for Total Current Spectroscopy experiments, the effect of each of the controllable potentials was investigated by focusing the electron gun on its original flurescent screen. However, when repurposed for total current spectroscopy, the gun needed to be refocused several times (with changing sample holder design). From \ref{tcs_theory1}, it is apparent that the electron gun should be focused to achieve the maximum possible resolution by producing the narrowest possible primary energy distribution at the target. In addition, to increase the energy range (relative to the target), it The gun was focused using an iterative process, by which each potential was altered in turn to maximise the current. \pagebreak \subsubsection{A two dimensional electron gun simulation} The below figures \ref{egun_simulation1.pdf} and \ref{egun_simulation2.pdf} are the results of a simplistic electron gun simulation. The results of this simulation were not used to focus the actual electron gun; the images shown here are purely presented as a visual aid. \begin{center} \includegraphics[scale=0.45, angle=270]{figures/egun_simulation1.pdf} \captionof{figure}{{\bf 2D Simulation of trajectories of electrons accelerated through an electron gun}} \label{egun_simulation1.pdf} \includegraphics[scale=0.45, angle=270]{figures/egun_simulation2.pdf} \captionof{figure}{{\bf 2D Simulation of the electrostatic potential produced by the electron gun}}\label{egun_simulation2.pdf} \end{center} \pagebreak \subsection{Electron Gun Control Circuit} The control circuit diagram for the electron gun is shown in Figure \ref{electron_gun.pdf}. The wiring of the circuit, including resistors and potentiometers, was incoroprated into a single box, with external connections available for the power supplies, ammeters, electron gun, and sample holder. Both the components and operation of this circuit are straightforward; we will give a brief overview here for completeness. \begin{itemize} \item {\bf Filament Heating} A constant current power supply is used to heat the filament. The inability to directly attach a wire to the filament leads to the requirement for biasing resistors in parallel with the filament. If the resistors are equal valued, assuming that each half of the filament has equal resistance, it is trivial to show that the potential of the emitting tip of the cathode is equal to that at the midpoint of the resistors. \emph{NOTE: I suspect the periodically changing emission current may be due to temperature dependence of the resistance of the {\bf resistors}, since the current through the parallel circuit is constant, but not necessarily the filament if $R$ is not constant. However, I have not had time to test this.} \item {\bf Applied Potential} As discussed in Section \ref{tcs_theory1}, the energy of electrons arriving at the sample is proportional to $U$ (plus a constant). For this experiment, the power supply for setting $U$ has been chosen to allow for serial control using a Digital to Analogue Convertor (DAC). Refer to Appendix \ref{} for more information. \item {\bf Electrode Potentials} Seperate power supplies have been used for each independent electrode potential. The power supplies are biased to the cathode, rather than the sample; this ensures that changes in $U$ do not effect the optics of the gun. \begin{itemize} \item {\bf Deflection Plates} The deflection plates are referenced to the accelerating electrodes (connections not shown). By using a dual gang potentiometer, with one electrode wired in the opposite direction to the other, the deflection plates will always be at $\frac{V_d}{2} \pm V_a$. \end{itemize} \item {\bf Current Measurement} Three current measurement points are available: \begin{itemize} \item {\bf Sample Current} This is the current measured during Total Current Spectroscopy experiments (see \ref{tcs}). The ammeter used for this measurement provides an analogue output signal; Appendix \ref{} discusses the use of Analogue to Digital Conversion for automating the Total Current Spectroscopy experiments. \item {\bf Primary Electron Current} By applying Kirchoff's law, it can be seen that the sum of currents passing through a gun electrode or the sample is equal to the current flowing through this measurement point. This measurement point was used to verify that the primary current was constant, as assumed by Total Current Spectroscopy theory. Although some variation in primary electron current was observed, this occured over an extremely long timescale compared to the timescales involved with sample current measurement. \item {\bf Leak Current} The third measurement point includes electrons which travel through the accelerating electrodes or deflection plates. Knowledge of the current lost through electrodes before the surface was useful for optimising the current incident on the surface. \end{itemize} \end{itemize} \begin{landscape} \begin{center} \includegraphics[scale=0.80]{figures/electron_gun.pdf} \captionof{figure}{Circuit Diagram for Electron Gun Control} \label{electron_gun.pdf} \end{center} \end{landscape} \pagebreak \bibliographystyle{unsrt} \bibliography{thesis} \end{document}