About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Functional Nanomaterials: Functional Low-Dimensional (0D, 1D, 2D) Materials 2026
|
| Presentation Title |
Electrical properties of alkaline-earth hexaborides thin films (CaB<sub>6</sub>, SrB<sub>6</sub>, and BaB<sub>6</sub>) doped with lithium |
| Author(s) |
Alan Hirales, Eduardo Murillo, Manuel Herrera, Victor R. Vasquez, Olivia A. Graeve |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Alan Hirales |
| Abstract Scope |
This study explores how lithium doping influences the electrical behavior of alkaline-earth hexaboride thin films (CaB<sub>6</sub>, SrB<sub>6</sub>, BaB<sub>6</sub>) synthesized via magnetron sputtering. Using a combination of radio frequency and direct current sputtering, lithium incorporation was systematically varied. Structural integrity was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and film thickness was assessed via X-ray reflectometry. Electrical characterization through atomic and electrostatic force microscopy revealed a consistent decrease in bandgap and a marked enhancement in conductivity with increasing lithium content. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy quantified lithium levels, directly correlating composition to electronic performance. These results demonstrate that lithium doping effectively tunes the electrical properties of hexaboride films, supporting their application as semiconducting layers in next-generation electronic devices. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |