Reflection-absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet (UV) of C6H6 molecule
s physisorbed on a gold surface has been observed in a single-pass experime
nt for the electronic transition (1)A(1g) --> B-1(2u) near 250 nm. The line
widths of transitions in this electronic band are 160 cm(-1). This techniqu
e permits the detection of a very low density of molecules physisorbed on a
surface. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.