Molecular-Scale Structure of Pentacene Interfaces with Si (111)

Abstract

The morphology and crystal structure of the first few molecular layers of organic semiconductor thin films at organic-inorganic interfaces are important from both electronic and structural perspectives. The first upright layer of pentacene on Si (111) forms on top of a disordered layer of strongly bonded pentacene molecules in a structure similar to the pentacene monolayers formed on insulators. We describe a high-resolution structural study of this crystalline phase of pentacene using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The arrangement of molecules in these layers observed with STM agrees the results of with structural studies using scattering techniques. The imaging conditions and sample preparation techniques necessary to achieve molecular resolution can be adapted to subsequent STM and scanning tunneling spectroscopy experiments probing individual structural defects including vacancies, dislocations and grain boundaries within and between islands.