Observation of the Quantum and Classical Size Effects in Thin Antimony Films

Abstract

The quantum size effect was observed in thin polycrystalline antimony films. The variation of the film resistance with thickness is oscillatory. The oscillation period amounts to ~ 25 Å. The Fermi quasimomentum of the electrons in the direction normal to the film surface was determined. A comparison of the results of the observation of the classical and quantum size effects leads to the conclusion that the electron mean free path in antimony films is not limited by the crystallite dimensions.