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International audience; The control of quantum coupling between nano-objects is essential to quantum technologies. Confined nanostructures, such as cavities, resonators, or quantum dots, are designed to enhance interactions between electrons, photons, or phonons, giving rise to new properties, on which devices are developed. The nature and strength of these interactions are often measured indirectly on an assembly of dissimilar objects. Here, we adopt an innovative point of view by directly mapping the coupling of single nanostructures using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS). We take advantage of the unique capabilities of STM/STS to map simultaneously the nano-object's morphology and electronic density in order to observe in real space the electronic coupling of pairs of In(Ga)As/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots (QDs), forming quantum dot molecules (QDMs). Differential conductance maps dI/dV (E, x, y) demonstrate the presence of an effective electronic coupling, leading to bonding and antibonding states, even for dissymmetric QDMs. The experimental results are supported by numerical simulations. The actual geometry of the QDMs is taken into account to determine the strength of the coupling, showing the crucial role of quantum dot size and pair separation for device growth optimization

Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms tightly bound in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice to form a two-dimensional lattice, is a very interesting material with promising electronic, optical, chemical, and mechanical applicative potential [Geim and Novoselov, Nat. Mater. 6, 183 (2007)]. The properties of graphene make it suitable for a wide range of applications; however, its applicative future still depends on large scale technologies capable to robustly and reproducibly transfer its outstanding intrinsic properties into devices or complex structures. It must be recognized that a crucial technological problem, that still inhibits the applicability of high quality graphene material properties, is related to the patterning of this material using traditional top down instruments and lithographical methods. In this work, we will detail our investigations on applying a precise 30 keV Ga+ ion irradiation to selectively shape and modify a copper precursor surface for promoting the local growth of graphene surface domains. The morphology of these domains is investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to probe simultaneously the structural and the electronic properties at the atomic scale of the graphene films.

International audience; van der Waals materials offer a large variety of electronic properties depending on chemical composition, number of layers, and stacking order. Among them, As2Te3 has attracted attention due to the promise of outstanding electronic properties, and high photo-response. Precise experimental determinations of the electronic properties of As2Te3 are yet sorely needed for better understanding of potential properties and device applications. Here, we study the structural and electronic properties of α-As2Te3. Scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled to energy X-ray dispersion (STEM-EDX), and micro-Raman spectroscopy all confirm that our specimens correspond to α-As2Te3. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) at 4.2K demonstrates that α-As2Te3 exhibits an electronic band gap of about 0.4 eV. The material can be exfoliated, revealing the (100) anisotropic surface. Transport measurements on a thick exfoliated sample (bulk-like) confirm the STS results. These findings allows for a deeper understanding of the As2Te3 electronic properties, underlying the potential of V-VI semiconductors for electronic and photonic technologies.

In the recent work of Vlaic et al. (2017), it has been shown that Pb nanocrystals (NCs) grown on the electron accumulation layer at the (110) surface of InAs are in the regime of Coulomb blockade. This enabled the first Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STM) study of the superconducting parity effect across the Anderson limit. The observation of Coulomb blockade implies the existence of a tunnel barrier between the NCs and the substrate. This tunnel barrier has been ascribed to a quantum constriction of the electronic wave function at the interface between the NCs and the electron accumulation layer owing to its large Fermi wavelength. In this proceeding, we detail and review the arguments leading to this conclusion.

Metal mono-chalcogenide compounds offer a large variety of electronic properties depending on chemical composition, number of layers and stacking-order. Among them, the InSe has attracted much attention due to the promise of outstanding electronic properties, attractive quantum physics, and high photo-response. Metal mono-chalcogenide compounds offer a large variety of electronic properties depending on chemical composition, number of layers and stacking-order. Among them, the InSe has attracted much attention due to the promise of outstanding electronic properties, attractive quantum physics, and high photo-response. Precise experimental determination of the electronic structure of InSe is sorely needed for better understanding of potential properties and device applications. Here, combining scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) and two-photon photoemission spectroscopy (2PPE), we demonstrate that InSe exhibits a direct band gap of about 1.25 eV located at the Gamma point of the Brillouin zone (BZ). STS measurements underline the presence of a finite and almost constant density of states (DOS) near the conduction band minimum (CBM) and a very sharp one near the maximum of the valence band (VMB). This particular DOS is generated by a poorly dispersive nature of the top valence band, as shown by angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) investigation. technologies. In fact, a hole effective mass of about m/m0 = -0.95 gammaK direction) was measured. Moreover, using ARPES measurements a spin-orbit splitting of the deeper-lying bands of about 0.35 eV was evidenced. These findings allow a deeper understanding of the InSe electronic properties underlying the potential of III-VI semiconductors for electronic and photonic

In the recent work of Ref.\cite{Vlaic2017-bs}, it has been shown that Pb nanocrystals grown on the electron accumulation layer at the (110) surface of InAs are in the regime of Coulomb blockade. This enabled the first scanning tunneling spectroscopy study of the superconducting parity effect across the Anderson limit. The nature of the tunnel barrier between the nanocrystals and the substrate has been attributed to a quantum constriction of the electronic wave-function at the interface due to the large Fermi wavelength of the electron accumulation layer in InAs. In this manuscript, we detail and review the arguments leading to this conclusion. Furthermore, we show that, thanks to this highly clean tunnel barrier, this system is remarkably suited for the study of discrete electronic levels induced by quantum confinement effects in the Pb nanocrystals. We identified three distinct regimes of quantum confinement. For the largest nanocrystals, quantum confinement effects appear through the formation of quantum well states regularly organized in energy and in space. For the smallest nanocrystals, only atomic-like electronic levels separated by a large energy scale are observed. Finally, in the intermediate size regime, discrete electronic levels associated to electronic wave-functions with a random spatial structure are observed, as expected from Random Matrix Theory., Comment: Main 12 pages, Supp: 6 pages

We report on low-temperature cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy on InAs(P)/InGaAsP/InP(001) quantum dashes, embedded in a diode-laser structure. The laser active region consists of nine InAs(P) quantum dash layers separated by the InGaAsP quaternary alloy barriers. The effect of the p-i-n junction built-in potential on the band structure has been evidenced and quantified on large-scale tunneling spectroscopic measurements across the whole active region. By comparing the tunneling current onset channels, a consistent energy shift has been measured in successive quantum dash or barrier layers, either for the ground state energy of similar-sized quantum dashes or for the conduction band edge of the barriers, corresponding to the band-bending slope. The extracted values are in good quantitative agreement with the theoretical band structure calculations, demonstrating the high sensitivity of this spectroscopic measurement to probe the electronic structure of individual nanostructures, relative to local potential variations. Furthermore, by taking advantage of the potential gradient, we compared the local density of states over successive quantum dash layers. We observed that it does not vanish while increasing energy, for any of the investigated quantum dashes, in contrast to what would be expected for discrete level zero-dimensional (0D) structures. In order to acquire further proof and fully address the open question concerning the quantum dash dimensionality nature, we focused on individual quantum dashes obtaining high-energy-resolution measurements. The study of the local density of states clearly indicates a 1D quantum-wirelike nature for these nanostructures whose electronic squared wave functions were subsequently imaged by differential conductivity mapping.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have recently been the focus of extensive research. By following a similar trend as graphene, other 2D materials including transition metal dichalcogenides (MX2) and metal mono-chalcogenides (MX) show great potential for ultrathin nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices. Despite the weak nature of interlayer forces in semiconducting MX materials, their electronic properties are highly dependent on the number of layers. Using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS), we demonstrate the tunability of the quasiparticle energy gap of few layered gallium selenide (GaSe) directly grown on a bilayer graphene substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Our results show that the band gap is about 3.50 +/-0.05 eV for single-tetralayer (1TL), 3.00 +/-0.05 eV for bi-tetralayer (2TL) and 2.30 +/-0.05 eV for tri-tetralayer (3TL). This band gap evolution of GaSe, in particularly the shift of the valence band with respect to the Fermi level, was confirmed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements and our theoretical calculations. Moreover, we observed a charge transfer in GaSe/graphene van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure using ARPES. These findings demonstrate the high impact on the GaSe electronic band structure and electronic properties that can be obtained by the control of 2D materials layer thickness and the graphene induced doping.

The paper presents the outstanding case history of the development of a deep scour hole downstream of Kariba arch Dam on Zambezi River, since its commissioning in 1959 for hydropower generation, and the reshaping project under development, designed as a remedial measure to stabilize the plunge pool evolution.The history of spilling through its gated spillway 9 000 m3/s capacity is summarized and the consequent deepening of a scour hole in the competent rocks of river bed, under the spillway impact zone, extending now about 80m below mean tail water level is depicted.The reshaping project development has been validated through an original progressive optimization methodology involving in various steps both civil engineering design and up to date hydraulic modelling, both physical and numerical. The reasonably feasible design of these exceptional civil works, while keeping in operation the dam and both powerhouses totalizing 1350 MW, is then described.

Quantum Dashes (QDashes), some elongated and self-assembled semiconductor nanostructures are interesting candidates as building blocks for new laser devices with promising performances. To date, there was a lack of knowledge about the dimensionality of the confinement for carriers in such QDashes. We report on cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (X-STM/STS) performed on InAs(P)/InGaAsP/InP(001) QDashes, embedded in an optimized laser structure configuration. The active region consists of nine InAs(P) QDashes layers separated by InGaAsP barriers, sandwiched between a p-type and an n-type InP semiconductor. The STS measurements measured throughout the active region reveal a shift of the conduction band edges in agreement with built-in potential of the p-i-n junction. Furthermore we investigate the question of the dimensionality of the InAs(P) Q-Dashes. Local density of states measured on QDashes from layer to layer indicates a 1-D quantum-wire-like nature for these nanostructures whose squared wavefunctions were subsequently imaged by differential conductivity mapping.

The transport properties of few-layer graphene are the directly result of a peculiar band structure near the Dirac point. Here, for epitaxial graphene grown on SiC, we determine the effect of charge transfer from the SiC substrate on the local density of states (LDOS) of trilayer graphene using scaning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Different spectra are observed and are attributed to the existence of two stable polytypes of trilayer: Bernal (ABA) and rhomboedreal (ABC) staking. Their electronic properties strongly depend on the charge transfer from the substrate. We show that the LDOS of ABC stacking shows an additional peak located above the Dirac point in comparison with the LDOS of ABA stacking. The observed LDOS features, reflecting the underlying symmetry of the two polytypes, were reproduced by explicit calculations within density functional theory (DFT) including the charge transfer from the substrate. These findings demonstrate the pronounced effect of stacking order and charge transfer on the electronic structure of trilayer or few layer graphene. Our approach represents a significant step toward understand the electronic properties of graphene layer under electrical field.

International audience; The stacking order of multilayer graphene has a profound influence on its electronic properties. In particular, it has been predicted that a rhombohedral stacking sequence displays a very flat conducting surface state: the longer the sequence, the flatter the band. In such a flat band, the role of electron electron correlation is enhanced, possibly resulting in high T-c superconductivity, magnetic order, or charge density wave order. Here we demonstrate that rhombohedral multilayers are easily obtained by epitaxial growth on 3C-S1C(111) on a 2 degrees off-axis 6H-SiC(0001). The resulting samples contain rhombohedral sequences of five layers on 70% of the surface. We confirm the presence of the flat band at the Fermi level by scanning tunneling spectroscopy and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, in close agreement with the predictions of density functional theory calculations.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to obtain micrographs of dried bacteria in air, and of living ones in their culture medium. Images of dried bacteria were very similar to images obtained elsewhere by the much more complicated cryoetching preparation technique for transmission electron microscopy. Living bacteria were immobilized on a poly-L-lysine film, and directly observed in their culture medium at a resolution unattainable by any other technique applicable to living material. The images were similar to those obtained in scanning electron microscopy where the specimen must be fixed, dried and coated with conductive material, and as a result, no longer viable.

The authors report on cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy/scanning tunneling spectroscopy and subsequent electronic wave-function imaging at a low temperature (T=77K) on cleaved In(Ga)As∕GaAs quantum dots (QDs). The dI∕dV spectra exhibit a set of discrete and well-defined peaks in the QD conduction band. Differential conductance dI∕dV maps, obtained on a series of individual dots, display clearly the real space spatial variation at the nanometer scale of the envelope (amplitude) of the electron wave functions for the successive ground state and excited states. Wave-function symmetry of the first two excited states are identified in the STS measurements.

In this thesis, we investigate by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) the effects of surface and coordination on the electronic properties of a transition metal atom occupying a cationic site in the GaAs(110) surface.By an in situ deposition method, we deposited Cr adatoms on cleaved GaAs(110) surfaces with coverage rates lower than a monolayer. And by applying voltage pulses close to a few target magnetic adatoms using the STM tip, we have manipulated them and substituted them with Ga atoms in the two first layers of the GaAs(110) surface. Thus obtaining magnetic atoms having different atomic environments, i.e. Cr adatoms, Cr atoms forming three bonds with three neighboring As atoms (Cr in the first layer) and Cr atoms forming four bonds with four neighboring As atoms (Cr in the second layer).To study the electronic properties of these transition atoms as a function of their position in the GaAs surface (110), we have realized on them STM imagery with different voltage bias as well as scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). They showed topographic forms with different mirror symmetries and revealed different numbers of STS peaks in the gap of the GaAs surface (110) according to their atomic site.By collaboration, density of states (DOS) calculations and simulations of STM images were carried out on Cr atoms occupying cationic sites in the GaAs bulk and in the five first layers of the GaAs surface (110) using the density functional theory (DFT). Agreements between the theoretical calculations and our experimental results have allowed us to show (i) that the measured STS peaks on the Cr atoms correspond to peaks of DOS resulting from an hybridization between the d states of Cr and the p states of their neighbors atoms of As and Ga ; (ii) that our STS measurements on the Cr atoms in the two first layers are affected by the symmetry breaking at the GaAs(110) surface; (iii) that a splitting of some induced states in the GaAs gap (110) occurs when a Cr atom passes from the first to the second surface layer; (iv) and that the measured topographic STM images on Cr atoms inserted in the first two layers of the surface correspond to wave functions of specific pd hybridization states; Dans cette thèse nous explorons, par microscopie par effet tunnel (STM), les effets de surface et du nombre de coordination sur les propriétés électroniques d’un atome de métal de transition occupant un site cationique dans la surface de GaAs(110). Par une méthode de dépôt in situ, nous avons déposé des adatomes de Cr sur des faces clivées de GaAs(110) avec des taux de couvertures très inférieurs à une monocouche. Et en appliquant des rampes de tensions proches de quelques adatomes magnétiques cibles à l’aide de la pointe du STM, nous les avons manipulés et substitués par des atomes de Ga dans les deux premières couches de la surface de GaAs(110). Obtenant ainsi des atomes magnétiques ayants des environnements atomiques différents, c’est-à-dire des adatomes de Cr, des atomes de Cr formant trois liaisons avec trois atomes d’As voisins (Cr en première couche) et des atomes de Cr formant quatre liaisons avec quatre atomes d’As voisins (Cr en deuxième couche). Pour étudier les propriétés électroniques de ces atomes de transition en fonction de leur position dans la surface de GaAs(110), nous avons réalisé sur eux des imageries STM à différents signes de tension ainsi que des mesures de spectroscopie par effet tunnel (STS). Ils ont montré des formes topographiques ayant des symétries miroirs différentes et ont révélé des nombres de pics de STS différents dans le gap de la surface de GaAs(110) selon leur site atomique. Des calculs de densité d’états électroniques et des simulations d’images STM ont été effectués, en collaboration, sur des atomes de Cr occupant des sites cationiques dans le GaAs massif et dans les cinq premières couches de la surface de GaAs(110) en utilisant la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité (DFT). Des accords entre les calculs théoriques et nos résultats expérimentaux nous ont permis de montrer (i) que les pics de STS mesurés sur les atomes de Cr correspondent à des pics de densité d’états électroniques provenant d’une hybridation entre les états à caractères d’orbitales d du Cr et les états à caractères d’orbitales p de leurs voisins d’atomes d’As et de Ga ; (ii) que nos mesures de STS sur les atomes de Cr dans les deux premières couches de surface sont affectés par la brisure de symétrie à la surface de GaAs(110); (iii) qu’il se produit une levée de dégénérescence de certains états induits dans le gap de GaAs(110) lorsqu’un atome de Cr passe de la première vers la deuxième couche de surface ; (iv) et que les images STM topographiques réalisées à différents signes de tension sur des atomes de Cr insérés dans les deux premières couches de la surface correspondent à des fonctions d’ondes d’états d’hybridations pd spécifiques

In this thesis, we investigate by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) the effects of surface and coordination on the electronic properties of a transition metal atom occupying a cationic site in the GaAs(110) surface.By an in situ deposition method, we deposited Cr adatoms on cleaved GaAs(110) surfaces with coverage rates lower than a monolayer. And by applying voltage pulses close to a few target magnetic adatoms using the STM tip, we have manipulated them and substituted them with Ga atoms in the two first layers of the GaAs(110) surface. Thus obtaining magnetic atoms having different atomic environments, i.e. Cr adatoms, Cr atoms forming three bonds with three neighboring As atoms (Cr in the first layer) and Cr atoms forming four bonds with four neighboring As atoms (Cr in the second layer).To study the electronic properties of these transition atoms as a function of their position in the GaAs surface (110), we have realized on them STM imagery with different voltage bias as well as scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). They showed topographic forms with different mirror symmetries and revealed different numbers of STS peaks in the gap of the GaAs surface (110) according to their atomic site.By collaboration, density of states (DOS) calculations and simulations of STM images were carried out on Cr atoms occupying cationic sites in the GaAs bulk and in the five first layers of the GaAs surface (110) using the density functional theory (DFT). Agreements between the theoretical calculations and our experimental results have allowed us to show (i) that the measured STS peaks on the Cr atoms correspond to peaks of DOS resulting from an hybridization between the d states of Cr and the p states of their neighbors atoms of As and Ga ; (ii) that our STS measurements on the Cr atoms in the two first layers are affected by the symmetry breaking at the GaAs(110) surface; (iii) that a splitting of some induced states in the GaAs gap (110) occurs when a Cr atom passes from the first to the second surface layer; (iv) and that the measured topographic STM images on Cr atoms inserted in the first two layers of the surface correspond to wave functions of specific pd hybridization states; Dans cette thèse nous explorons, par microscopie par effet tunnel (STM), les effets de surface et du nombre de coordination sur les propriétés électroniques d’un atome de métal de transition occupant un site cationique dans la surface de GaAs(110). Par une méthode de dépôt in situ, nous avons déposé des adatomes de Cr sur des faces clivées de GaAs(110) avec des taux de couvertures très inférieurs à une monocouche. Et en appliquant des rampes de tensions proches de quelques adatomes magnétiques cibles à l’aide de la pointe du STM, nous les avons manipulés et substitués par des atomes de Ga dans les deux premières couches de la surface de GaAs(110). Obtenant ainsi des atomes magnétiques ayants des environnements atomiques différents, c’est-à-dire des adatomes de Cr, des atomes de Cr formant trois liaisons avec trois atomes d’As voisins (Cr en première couche) et des atomes de Cr formant quatre liaisons avec quatre atomes d’As voisins (Cr en deuxième couche). Pour étudier les propriétés électroniques de ces atomes de transition en fonction de leur position dans la surface de GaAs(110), nous avons réalisé sur eux des imageries STM à différents signes de tension ainsi que des mesures de spectroscopie par effet tunnel (STS). Ils ont montré des formes topographiques ayant des symétries miroirs différentes et ont révélé des nombres de pics de STS différents dans le gap de la surface de GaAs(110) selon leur site atomique. Des calculs de densité d’états électroniques et des simulations d’images STM ont été effectués, en collaboration, sur des atomes de Cr occupant des sites cationiques dans le GaAs massif et dans les cinq premières couches de la surface de GaAs(110) en utilisant la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité (DFT). Des accords entre les calculs théoriques et nos résultats expérimentaux nous ont permis de montrer (i) que les pics de STS mesurés sur les atomes de Cr correspondent à des pics de densité d’états électroniques provenant d’une hybridation entre les états à caractères d’orbitales d du Cr et les états à caractères d’orbitales p de leurs voisins d’atomes d’As et de Ga ; (ii) que nos mesures de STS sur les atomes de Cr dans les deux premières couches de surface sont affectés par la brisure de symétrie à la surface de GaAs(110); (iii) qu’il se produit une levée de dégénérescence de certains états induits dans le gap de GaAs(110) lorsqu’un atome de Cr passe de la première vers la deuxième couche de surface ; (iv) et que les images STM topographiques réalisées à différents signes de tension sur des atomes de Cr insérés dans les deux premières couches de la surface correspondent à des fonctions d’ondes d’états d’hybridations pd spécifiques

High quality growth of ferromagnetic metals/III-V semiconductors heterostructures is an interesting challenge since it allows the integration of the robust magnetism of metals to the semiconductor technology. Nevertheless, the growth conditions of these two materials are totally different, making the growth of hybrid structures quiet complicated (i.e. magnetic tunnel junction). Indeed, at the optimal growth temperature of the III-V SC, the diffusion at the FM/SC III-V interface is very important and result in a rough and undefined interface. In order to prevent diffusion at the MF/SC III-V at the interface, the SC is grown at low temperature. The method results in a SC barrier with a poor quality. The low reactivity and high spin polarization at the MnAs/GaAs interface make this couple of materials a good candidate for FM/SC junctions growth. Recently, MnAs nano-clusters embedded in a GaAs matrix showed quite important magnetoresistance effects. After the MnAs clusters, by annealing a GaMnAs/GaAs(001) layer at high temperature (>400 ◦C), others III-V compounds can be grown on top of it, making this granular layer very attractive for magnetic tunnel junction heterostructures growth. We studied magnetic tunnel junctions MnAs/SC III-V/clusters of MnAs in a GaAs matrix (GaAs:MnAs), which the growth conditions of the bottom electrode (in situ annealing of a GaMnAs layer at T>500 ◦C) can significantly increase the structural and chemical quality of the SC barrier. This work can be divided into three parts. Firstly, the growth conditions of GaAs:MnAs/GaAs(001) and MnAs/GaAs(001) layers have been optimized. Then, original studies of magnetic force microscopy and photoemission spectroscopy (in situ and at the ESRF synchrotron) studies have been carried on MnAs/GaAs(001), GaAs:MnAs/GaAs(001) and GaMnAs/GaAs(001) thin films. This measurements lead to important informations to the elaboration of hybrid structures. Finally, the spin polarized transport through MnAs/SC III-V/GaAs:MnAs junctions has been studied., Le couplage d'un métal ferromagnétique (MF) et d'un semiconducteur (SC) permettrait d'intégrer un nouveau degré de liberté - le spin - aux propriétés logiques et optiques des semiconducteurs. Cependant, l'élaboration de jonctions tunnel magnétiques (JTM) couplant ces deux types de matériaux (barrières MF/SC/MF) présente des difficultés majeures. En effet, à la température de croissance optimale de la barrière semiconductrice (∼580 ◦C), le métal de l'électrode inférieure diffuse à travers l'interface pour s'incorporer à la barrière et ainsi réduire les effets de magnétorésistance. Pour éviter l'interdiffusion, la barrière doit être élaborée à basse température. Ce procédé implique l'incorporation d'antisites d'As dans la barrière SC qui réduit, encore une fois, les effets magnétorésistifs. Le couple MnAs/GaAs est considéré comme un bon candidat pour la réalisation de jonction hybride MF/SC /MF à cause de la faible réactivité et de la forte polarisation à l'interface. Afin de faire croître des JTM de bonne qualité chimique et cristalline, nous avons étudié des jonctions tunnel originales où l'électrode inférieure est une couche de clusters de MnAs dans une matrice de GaAs (GaAs:MnAs). Cet électrode est couvert par une barrière de SC III-V et par une électrode supérieure composée par une couche continue de MnAs. Le protocole de croissance de l'électrode inférieure (recuit in situ d'une couche de GaMnAs à T>500řC) permet simultanément de recuire la barrière semiconductrice et d'augmenter considérablement la qualité structurale et chimique de la barrière. Ce travail a été réalisé en trois parties. Dans un premier temps, les conditions d'élaboration de couches de GaAs:MnAs/GaAs(001) et de MnAs/GaAs(001) ont été optimisées. Ensuite, nous avons mené des études originales de microscopie à gradient de force magnétique et de spectroscopie de photoémission (in situ et au synchrotron). Ces mesures ont permis de faire ressortir des informations pertinentes pour l'intégration de ces couches en tant qu'électrode magnétique pour l'électronique de spin. Enfin, une étude du transport tunnel polarisé en spin a été conduite sur des jonctions tunnel MnAs/SC III-V/GaAs:MnAs.