Magic C60 islands forming due to moiré interference between islands and substrate

• Published in: Surface science 2015-05, Vol.635, p.94-98
• Main Authors: Olyanich, D.A., Mararov, V.V., Utas, T.V., Utas, O.A., Gruznev, D.V., Zotov, A.V., Saranin, A.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atom–solid interactions; Fullerene; Scanning tunneling microscopy; Self-assembly; Silicon
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/j.susc.2015.01.003

Recently proposed mechanism for self-organized formation of magic islands [Nat.Comm. 4(2013)1679] has received a new experimental confirmation. According to this mechanism, self-assembly is mediated by the moiré interference between an island and underlying substrate lattice. It was first detected at C60 island growth on In-adsorbed Si(111)3×3-Au surface. Changing In adsorbate for Tl results in lowering the corrugations of the surface potential relief due to a greater surface metallization. This allows formation of the C60 arrays with novel moiré pattern. As a result, a new set of magic C60 islands is formed on Tl-adsorbed Au/Si(111) surface differing from that observed on In-adsorbed surface. For example, the 19-C60 magic island which has a non-compact boomerang shape on In-adsorbed Au/Si(111) surfaces adopts a shape of a regular hexagon on Tl-adsorbed surface. •C60 magic island growth on In- and Tl-adsorbed Au/Si(111) is controlled by the same mechanism.•This mechanism is mediated by moiré interference between an island and a substrate.•C60 arrays on In- and Tl-adsorbed Au/Si(111) surfaces display different moiré patterns.•Different moiré patterns lead to different sets of magic islands.•19-C60 magic island has a shape of a boomerang and hexagon on In- and Tl-adsorbed surfaces, respectively.