Properties of Organic Molecules at Metal Surfaces

The adsorption and self–assembly of organic molecules at surfaces has recently been investigated extensively, both because of the fundamental interest and for prospective applications in nanoelectronics and nanophotonics [1, 2]. Molecule–molecule and molecule–substrate interactions can be tuned by the appropriate choice of substrate material and symmetry. Upon molecular adsorption, surfaces typically do not behave as static templates, but often rearrange dramatically to accommodate different molecular species [3, 4]. This presentation reviews recent experimental work using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, which is providing new insight into fundamental properties such as molecular diffusion [5, 6] and self–assembly via surface templating [7] and hydrogen bonding driven by co-adsorption [8]. \newline \newline [1] F. Rosei et al., \textit{Prog. Surf. Science} \textbf{71}, 95 (2003). \newline [2] F. Rosei, \textit{J. Phys. Condens. Matter} \textbf{16}, S1373 (2004). \newline [3] F. Rosei et al., \textit{Science} \textbf{296}, 328 (2002). \newline [4] R. Otero, F. Rosei, et al., \textit{Nanoletters} \textbf{4}, 75 (2004). \newline [5] M. Schunack, T.R. Linderoth, F. Rosei, et al., \textit{Phys. Rev. Lett.} \textbf{88}, 156102 (2002). \newline [6] J.A. Miwa, S. Weigelt, H. Gersen, F. Besenbacher, F. Rosei, T.R. Linderoth, submitted. \newline [7] R. Otero, Y. Naitoh, F. Rosei et al., \textit{Angew. Chem.} \textbf{43}, 4092 (2004). \newline [8] K.G. Nath, O. Ivasenko, J.A. Miwa, H. Dang, J.D. Wuest, A. Nanci, D.F. Perepichka, F. Rosei, submitted.