Accessing the spectral function of in operando devices by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Abstract

Progress in performing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with high spatial resolution in the order of 1~$\mu$m or less (nanoARPES) has opened the possibility to map the spectral function of solids on this tiny scale and thereby obtain detailed information on the materials' \emph{local} electronic band structure and many-body interactions. Recently, nanoARPES has been used to study simple electronic devices, based on two-dimensional materials, with the possibility of tuning the carrier type and density by field effect-gating, and while passing a current through the device. It was demonstrated that nanoARPES can detect possible changes in the materials' electronic structure in these situations and that it can map the local doping, conductance and mobility. This article reviews these first \emph{in operando} ARPES results on devices, discusses the resulting new insights, as well as the perspectives for future developments of the technique.