Observation of negative differential resistance in tunneling spectroscopy of MoS2 with a scanning tunneling microscope

Abstract

A scanning tunneling microscope has been used for imaging and tunneling spectroscopy of 2Hb–MoS2 in ultrahigh vacuum. Atom-resolved images obtained in three distinct imaging modes–measuring z at constant current, barrier height at constant current, and current at constant z–are presented. Current–voltage (I–V) tunneling spectra reveal the occasional presence of negative differential resistance. Possible origins of the effect are discussed. Convolution of the sample energy density of states (DOS) with a contamination-induced peak in the tip DOS is the probable cause. Other mechanisms that may be active include charging of electron traps in the barrier or on the tip, and resonant tunneling in a double-barrier quantum well structure resulting from layer separation in the MoS2 crystal.