STM INVESTIGATIONS OF AN ALKANE-METAL-SYSTEM (C32H66 IN)/

Dotriacontane (C32H66) monolayers deposited on highly oriented pyrolyt ic graphite (HOPG) were investigated with scanning tunnelling microsco py (STM) under ambient conditions. High resolution images of dotriacon tane molecules were obtained in solution. For the first time, STM inve stigations revealed the domain structure (lamellar structure) of C32H6 6 in the dried down state (after removing all excess solution). The re sults show, that the resolution of the dried down monolayers seems to be lowered compared to the images obtained in solution. The domain for ming short-chain alkanes on HOPG were used as oriented substrates to i nvestigate the overgrowth of evaporated indium (In). STM images show t he morphology of In crystallites on the alkane substrate clearly. The simultaneous imaging of C32H66 and In was hampered, presumably owing t o the different quantum-mechanical tunnelling conditions of the alkane substrate and the metal deposit.