Isotropic interfaces in a structurally anisotropic organic thin film

POSTER

Abstract

We investigate the interfacial boundary fluctuations of Acridine-9-Carboxylic Acid (ACA) deposited on Ag(111) using UHV STM. The ACA molecule is anisotropic in shape and intermolecular interactions, and has been shown to exhibit a disordered 2D gas phase on Ag(111) at low coverage\footnote{B. Xu et al., J. Phys. Chem. B 110, 1271 (2006)}. At higher coverage, the molecules arrange in domains of ordered chain-like structures which coexist with the disordered phase. We measure the real-time fluctuations at the phase boundaries, and show that these fluctuations are governed by molecular exchange between the two phases. Due to structural anisotropy, there are two types of domain boundaries with significantly different molecular interactions. Surprisingly, the fluctuation magnitudes, mobilities, and free energies are nearly equal for the two boundary types. A lattice-gas statistical model is presented which includes the influence of molecular conformations on substrate interactions, and reproduces the essential features observed experimentally: domain shapes, boundary fluctuations, and phase densities.

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Authors

  • Ellen Williams

    Department of Physics \& MRSEC, University of Maryland, College Park, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, Dept. of Physics, University of Mayland, College Park,MD 20742-4111 USA, U. of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland - College Park, Department of Physics and Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

  • C.G. Tao

    Department of Physics \& MRSEC, University of Maryland, College Park, U. of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park

  • Q. Liu

    University of Maryland

  • B. Riddick

    University of Maryland

  • William Cullen

    University of Maryland, University of Maryland - College Park

  • D. Evans

    University of Maryland

  • J. Reutt-Robey

    University of Maryland

  • J. D. Weeks

    Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland