Spatially arranged surfaces on the micro-rod structure, which was three-dimensionally (3D) architected on a Si(110) substrate have been thoroughly investigated by a system with micro-beam reflection high-energy electron diffraction (μ-RHEED) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The combination of μ-RHEED and SEM realized analytical structure investigation of 3D surfaces with the spatial resolution of sub micrometer for the 3D rectangular shaped rod consisting of a (110) top surface (20 μm wide) and {111} vertical side surfaces (10 μm wide). Exhaustive mapping revealed the peculiar reconstructed surface structures: Si(110) “16 × 2” single domain and {35 47 7} facet surfaces locally appeared on the interconnected edge region on the 3D structure in addition to the “16 × 2” and 7 × 7 super structures on flat top (110) and side {111} surfaces, respectively. The formation mechanism for “16 × 2” single-domain structure near the corner edge of the (110) surfaces and {35 47 7} facets on the corner edges between (110) and {111} surfaces were discussed from the viewpoint of the surface stability on the 3D geometrical shaped Si structure.

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) plays an important role in the surface science and nanotechnology to characterize the non-crystalline materials using the curve fitting (CF) analysis. However, the CF has problems such as correlation between the structural parameters, the dependence on initial parameters, and the limitation of degree of freedom when EXAFS is applied to the complex system. In this paper, we propose a thorough search (TS) method to solve these problems. We analyzed EXAFS data for molybdenum oxide (α-MoO₃) using the TS method. MO₃ possesses a well-defined but complex local structure in which a central molybdenum (Mo) atom is surrounded by six oxygen (O) atoms. In CF analysis, the correlations of these six Mo—O bonds make it very difficult to derive reliable structural parameters from EXAFS data. In the TS analysis, the structural parameters regarded as a point (𝒫) were surveyed thoroughly over a certain range. The goodness of fit was evaluated by R-factor. All 𝒫 with R-factors less than a certain value were accepted. The accepted points 𝒫 made a domain in which it was assumed that all points 𝒫 in the domain should occur with equal probability and consequently their averages were used as representative structural parameters. If multiple independent domains were obtained, they were all regarded as possible candidates and the TS analysis provided possible structural parameters. The feasibility and advantages of the TS method were compared with the CF analysis and the micro reverse Monte Carlo method.

In the Internet of Things (IoT) era using Big Data, metrology is recognized as a crucial process that provides added value in hyper-scaling semiconductor manufacturing processes. Miniaturization of semiconductors requires the discussion of quantum theory on the order of tens of nanometers, and metrology (measurement technology) that supports this requirement has the potential of creating new research fields. Super-resolution optical technology is a common measurement technique that exceeds the physical limit. Moreover, advanced integrated metrology techniques, which include a combination of various kinds of metrology techniques coupled with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), have the potential to evolve into an untapped technological field required by the market. We conduct extensive discussions on the implications of AI/ML. A new way of advanced integrated metrology can be considered as an important role for the fabrication of next generation integrated circuit and be connected to value-added creation.

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are a clean, sustainable device to convert chemical energy to electricity and can provide power for automobiles, trains, and ships. In PEFCs, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurs at the cathode and is catalyzed at electrocatalysts. The activity of ORR electrocatalysts is known to limit the overall performance of PEFCs because the ORR is more sluggish than the hydrogen oxidation reaction at the anode. In the state-of-the-art PEFC, platinum group metal (PGM)-based ORR electrocatalysts are used. Since PGMs are rare and expensive, highly active and durable non-PGM ORR electrocatalysts are required for widespread applications of PEFCs. In nature, metalloenzymes such as cytochrome c oxidase and multicopper oxidases efficiently catalyze the ORR and utilize multinuclear iron and/or copper complexes as active sites. The structure of these active sites and enzyme reaction mechanisms would give us design concepts of artificial non-PGM electrocatalysts for the ORR, possibly leading us to develop next-generation non-PGM electrocatalysts. Herein, recent research progress on understanding enzymatic ORR reaction mechanisms and developing non-PGM ORR electrocatalysts is reviewed from the viewpoint of bio-inspired approaches.

Photoelectron spectroscopy is our main tool to explore the electronic structure of novel material systems, the properties of which are often determined by an intricate interplay of competing interactions. Elucidating the role of this interactions requires studies over an extensive range of energy, momentum, length, and time scales. We show that immersion lens-based momentum microscopy with spin-resolution is able to combine these seemingly divergent requirements in a unifying experimental approach. We will discuss applications to different areas in information research, for example, resistive switching and spintronics. The analysis of resistive switching phenomena in oxides requires high lateral resolution and chemical selectivity, as the processes involve local redox processes and oxygen vacancy migration. In spintronics topological phenomena are currently a hot topic, which lead to complex band structures and spin textures in reciprocal space. Spin-resolved momentum microscopy is uniquely suited to address these aspects.

In-situ analysis of heterogeneous catalysts under reaction condition is indispensable to understand reaction mechanisms and nature of active sites. Ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) is one of the powerful methods to investigate chemical states of catalysts and reaction intermediates adsorbed on the surface. In this review, reaction of carbon dioxide on Cu(997) and Zn-deposited Cu(997) surfaces are discussed as an example of surface chemistry of weakly adsorbed molecules, together with a brief overview of recent progress in AP-XPS methods.

Surface X-ray diffraction is a powerful tool for studying the atomic structure of buried interfaces nondestructively. The analysis is often limited to the static structures, since the acquisition of crystal truncation rod (CTR) profile dataset is lengthy. Recently, high-speed methods have been developed by several groups, aiming for the in operando study of interface phenomena. Our method uses energy-dispersive convergent X-rays and area detector, and allows the quantitative structure analysis during irreversible phenomena in a typical time frame of 1 s. In this review, the energy-dispersive method is compared with the other high-speed methods which use high-energy X-rays with a grazing incidence geometry and transmission geometry, and then two examples of the real-time monitoring are presented, the photo-induced wettability transition of the rutile-TiO₂(110) surface and an electrochemical reaction on the Pt(111) electrode surface, to show the capability of the energy-dispersive method.

Establishing an accurate view of the photocatalytic mechanism of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been a challenging task since the discovery of the Honda-Fujishima effect. Despite the great success of catalytic studies in elucidating the chemical and physical aspects of photocatalysis, many questions remain. A surface science approach, which is characterized by the use of atomically well-defined surfaces in precisely controlled environments, is a powerful tool to shed light on the fundamental mechanism, especially the dynamics of photoexcited carriers. In the present contribution, recent progress in photocatalytic research that correlates photocatalytic activity and carrier dynamics on rutile and anatase TiO₂ is reviewed. A special focus is placed on the lifetime of photoexcited carriers. We present a method to determine the carrier lifetime; pump-probe time-resolved soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, utilizing an ultraviolet laser as a pump light and a synchrotron radiation as a probe light. The carrier lifetime is found to be linearly correlated with the photocatalytic decomposition/desorption rate of acetic acid adsorbed on single-crystal TiO₂ surfaces. The important role of a potential barrier on the TiO₂ surface, which influences the carrier lifetime and the photocatalytic activity, is discussed.

Raman spectroscopy provides a meaningful fingerprint for sensing and discriminating materials, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can dramatically increase Raman signals up to the single-molecule level of sensitivity. Graphene, a monolayer carbon sheet, has recently attracted considerable attention as a unique SERS substrate. However, there are various types of graphene materials, and the SERS application category is significantly correlated to the structure and quality of the graphene. This review provides a broad perspective on this research area, intended for researchers of diverse fields. First, we categorize the graphene-based SERS applications based on their structure. Second, we introduce the types of graphene (graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, chemical vapor deposited graphene, and carbon nanowalls) and their synthesis methods. Thereafter, we highlight state-of-the-art studies for each category of graphene-based SERS.

It's hard to imagine that we can take a splinter and sharpen it down to the atomic level. It's even more impressive that we can bring this sharp tip close to a surface, scan it over the surface, and be sensitive to the tiny forces between the apex atom and individual atoms on the surface. Measuring and interpreting these forces is the goal of high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM). We perform frequency-modulation AFM (FM-AFM), in which we oscillate the tip and record the change in frequency as a measure of the interaction with the surface. FM-AFM performed in vacuum with stiff sensors has lead to amazing discoveries. Now, we are returning to the challenge of imaging samples in device- and biologically-relevant conditions. This contribution summarizes work that was performed in the Giessibl group to image with atomic resolution in ambient and liquid environments. We demonstrated atomic resolution with the qPlus sensor on KBr, and followed this with investigations on graphitic surfaces. We have also shown single-atomic defects and steps on the calcite surface. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2018.351]

This paper modestly expands an invited talk at ISSS-8 with the same title. After reviewing the relevant interactions between adsorbates on substrates with metallic surface states [especially Cu(111)], it focuses on organic adsorbates. Of particular interest are those which form honeycomb lattices with pores of various sizes. The nature of the confined states derived from the surface-state electrons is discussed as their effect on admolecules inside the pores. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2018.201]

The electron spin governs many phenomena in modern condensed matter physics, such as magnetism, superconductivity, etc. Often, minute details in the electronic structure determine the physical behavior of a material. Photoelectron emission—being the most established approach to explore electronic structures—is currently entering a new era thanks to a breathtaking development in light sources, spectrometer concepts, and spin detectors. In particular, the evolution in novel highly efficient electron spin polarimeters opens up new experimental opportunities and permits unequaled insights into the electronic structure. This contribution will discuss several examples in this field of spin-dependent interactions and spin-based phenomena. A prominent one refers to the class of topological insulators, where strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) causes a unique spin-momentum locking around the Dirac cone. Transition metal dichalcogenides consist of quasi-2D layers coupled by v. d. Waals interactions. Here, strong SOC leads to pronounced hybridization effects. We also address fundamental issues in ferromagnetism, e.g., the complex interplay of SOC and exchange interaction, causing characteristic k-, spin- and symmetry-dependent band mixing. Using spin- and time-resolved photoemission we explore ultrafast spin dynamics in ferromagnets driven by strong ultrashort laser pulses. We find the changes in both majority and minority spin states to take place on a 100 fs time scale and to be compatible with band mirroring.
In this contribution, we will discuss several new aspects of spin-dependent and spin-resolved photoemission covering both static and dynamic issues of electronic states. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2018.177]