Scanning tunneling microscopy studies on n-alkane molecules adsorbed on graphite

Abstract
The adsorption of n‐alkanes on graphite has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. These molecules can form very well ordered layers on the graphite surface. The results suggest that a transition from an ordered to a disordered state of the molecules occurs as a function of temperature. A model for the structure of the adsorbed layer and a possible explanation for the temperature effects are given.