Preprint

FZJ-2025-02319

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Boron nitride on SiC(0001)

Lin, Y.-R.FZJ* ; Franke, M. ; Parhizkar, S.FZJ* ; Raths, M. ; Yu, V. W. ; Lee, T.-L. ; Soubatch, S.FZJ* ; Blum, V. ; Tautz, F. S.FZJ* ; Kumpf, C.FZJ* ; Bocquet, F. C. (Corresponding author)FZJ*

2022
arXiv

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.48550/ARXIV.2203.00985

Abstract: In the field of van der Waals heterostructures, the twist angle between stacked two-dimensional (2D) layers has been identified to be of utmost importance for the properties of the heterostructures. In this context, we previously reported the growth of a single layer of unconventionally oriented epitaxial graphene that forms in a surfactant atmosphere [F. C. Bocquet, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 106102 (2020)]. The resulting G-R0$^\circ$ layer is aligned with the SiC lattice, and hence represents an important milestone towards high quality twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG), a frequently investigated model system in this field. Here, we focus on the surface structures obtained in the same surfactant atmosphere, but at lower preparation temperatures at which a boron nitride template layer forms on SiC(0001). In a comprehensive study based on complementary experimental and theoretical techniques, we find -- in contrast to the literature -- that this template layer is a hexagonal B$_x$N$_y$ layer, but not high-quality hBN. It is aligned with the SiC lattice and gradually replaced by low-quality graphene in the 0$^\circ$ orientation of the B$_x$N$_y$ template layer upon annealing.

Keyword(s): Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) ; FOS: Physical sciences

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Quantum Nanoscience (PGI-3)

Research Program(s):

1. 5213 - Quantum Nanoscience (POF4-521) (POF4-521)

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