FROM "SOCCER-BALL" AND "RUGBY-BALL" TO GIANT FULLERENE MOLECULES: A SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPY AND SPECTROSCOPY STUDY

Abstract

Thin films of carbon fullerene molecules, C_n, prepared on metallic substrates are studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) under both ambient and ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The STM and AFM images provide real-space atomic-resolution views of these fascinating molecules and their monolayer growth on metal surfaces which reflect both the intermolecular interactions and interactions with the underlying substrates.