BRICKSTONE ARRANGEMENT IN J-AGGREGATES OF AN AMPHIPHILIC MEROCYANINE DYE

J-aggregates formed in monolayers of an amphiphilic merocyanine dye we re transferred onto solid supports and were investigated by scanning f orce microscopy (SFM). Islands of bulk phase deposited material were o bserved after the monofilm transfer onto mica. The islands are up to s everal mum2 in area and several nm in height. On these islands molecul ar resolution was achieved in the SFM. The dye molecules are arranged in a rectangular unit cell. The unit cell area was in agreement with d ata from surface pressure-area isotherms and with the dimensions of th e dye molecule. Our SFM data were consistent with a brickstone arrange ment of dye molecules in the J-aggregates.