Open-boundary reflection of quantum well states at Pb(111)

Using a scanning tunneling microscope, confined electron states are studied that exist above subsurface nanometer-sized voids at Pb(111), where potential barriers at the parallel vacuum–Pb(111) and Pb(111)–void interfaces establish a principal series of quantum well states that are further confined laterally by strong reflection at the open boundaries at the edges of the void. The influence of the size, depth and shape of the voids on the effectiveness of the lateral confinement is discussed. Standing wave patterns observed in differential conductance maps unravel the dispersion of the relevant underlying Pb electron states.