On the origin of electron accumulation layer at clean InAs(111) surfaces

Abstract

In this paper, we provide a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the electronic structure of InAs(111) surfaces with a special attention paid to the energy region close to the fundamental bandgap. Starting from the bulk electronic structure of InAs as calculated using PBE functional with included Hubbard correction and spin-orbit coupling, we deliver proper values for the bandgap, split-off energy, as well as effective electron, light- and heavy-hole masses in full consistency with available experimental results. On the basis of optimized atomic surfaces we recover scanning tunneling microscopy images, which being supplied with accessible experimental data make it possible to speculate on the formation of electron accumulation layer for both As- and In-terminated InAs(111) surfaces. Moreover, these results are accompanied by band structure simulations of conduction band states.