Lateral scattering potential of the PTCDA/Ag(111) interface state

A. Sabitova, R. Temirov, F. S. Tautz
Physical Review B 98 (2018) 205429

Atomic-scale patterning of interfaces consisting of large organic molecules and metal surfaces allows the crafting of structures with novel electronic properties and, ultimately, designed quantum states. In this context, dispersive interface states are highly relevant as these are most susceptible to the effects of lateral structuring. To take full advantage of this approach to quantum state engineering, it is vital to first develop a detailed understanding of such molecule/metal interfaces in their native, unstructured form.

The interface of 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) with the Ag(111) surface was the first molecule-metal interface to reveal an unoccupied, parabolically dispersing two-dimensional (2D) interface state. Based on this finding, SFB-researchers have shown that an analytical one-dimensional (1D) model potential describes certain facets of the interface state very well. It is clear, however, that this 1D model cannot capture several other important aspects, most notably the scattering of electrons in the interface state by the molecular layer. This scattering is important since it could lead to the emergence of a true hybrid molecule-metal interface state.

Because the scattering is expected to impress its signature into the 2D band structure of the interface state, it is important to measure the latter. But although the PTCDA/Ag(111) interface is a well-studied prototype, its complete band structure had so far not been determined. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) is one of the few suitable techniques in the present case. However, STS has principal problems in providing band maps. These problems stem from the inevitable superposition of topographic and electronic image contrasts.

A newly developed technique of STS, called feature-detection STS, succeeds in eliminating the contribution of the surface topography, leaving behind a highly posterized image of the electronic structure. This allows a comprehensive determination of  the band structure of the PTCDA/Ag(111) interface state. Evidence suggests a very strong scattering of the surface state electrons by the molecular layer. Surprisingly, this scattering is attractive, which supports the idea of an emergent hybrid interface state, and limited to only one of the two sublattices. The latter observation could be the key to understanding certain observations regarding the lifetime of interface state electrons.