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Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements have been made on single-crystal epitaxial layers of CuInSe2 grown on GaAs substrates. Results were obtained for as-grown, air-exposed, and cleaned surfaces; in situ cleaved surfaces; surfaces sputtered and annealed in the STM system; and samples prepared by a light chemical etch. Conventional constant-current topographs, current-voltage curves, and current imaging tunneling spectroscopy (CITS) scans were obtained. Topographic images show that the surfaces appear rough on the atomic scale and often exhibit regular features consistent with a previously proposed surface ad-dimer reconstruction. CITS scans show a spatially varying energy gap consistent with band-edge fluctuations on a scale of a few atomic spacings. Energy variations were observed in both band edges. Although quantitative description of the magnitude of these fluctuations is difficult, the fluctuations on the atomic scale appear much larger than observed by methods such as photoluminescence, which average over larger volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements are used to analyze the single-crystal epitaxial layers of CuIn[Se.sub.2] grown on GaAs substrates. Topographic images revealed the surfaces to be rough on the atomic scale and often exhibit regular features which are consistent with band-edge fluctuations on a scale of a few atomic spacings.

Utilizing quantum dot (QD) luminescent films as a greenhouse covering material is an innovative method of modifying the greenhouse light spectrum. The QD films convert a portion of high-energy ultraviolet and blue photons to lower-energy photons. Previous research has shown that the application of QD films in greenhouses led to improved crop yields of red lettuce and tomatoes. However, the underlying mechanism of the yield increases has not been fully explored. We quantified the effects of solar spectral shifts attributable to QD films on plant morphology, radiation capture, and, subsequently, crop yield. Green and red leaf lettuces and basil were grown in a greenhouse under four treatments: regular-concentration QD film (reg QD film); high-concentration QD film (high QD film); color-neutral polyethylene (PE) film; and control treatment without any films. Compared to the reg QD film, the high QD film converted a higher fraction of blue photons into longer-wavelength photons, resulting in enhanced leaf expansion, stem elongation, and shoot fresh weight of red lettuce and basil compared with those grown under the PE film without spectral modifications. No significant growth differences were observed between the control and high QD film treatments of red lettuce and basil despite a 23% reduction in the average daily light integral (DLI) under the high QD film treatment. Compared to that grown under the control treatment, green lettuce grown under the high QD film treatment had a similar total leaf area but reduced shoot biomass; this was likely associated with reductions in leaf thickness and chlorophyll content. In contrast, the red lettuce showed more pronounced leaf expansion and reduced leaf anthocyanin content under the high QD film, which likely helped to offset the reduction in DLI. Overall, our results indicated that modifying the solar spectrum with QD films as greenhouse covering material could result in improved crop radiation capture and yield in greenhouse production of lettuce and basil. However, the spectral shifts caused by the QD films may affect crop quality attributes, such as anthocyanin levels and the production of other beneficial secondary metabolites. This effect on crop quality should be carefully considered and requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]