Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy Study of C ₆₀ on Polycrystalline Platinum

Abstract

We present scanning tunnelling micrographs of C60 molecules deposited on polycrystalline platinum, a substrate which enables stable imaging in contrast to other investigated substrate materials. On a submicron scale, we observe layers of C60 molecules separated by monomolecular steps. Individual C60 molecules can be imaged with submolecular resolution. These submolecular features can possibly be attributed to carbon atoms or to bonds of the C60 molecule.