We are interested in the structural and electronic properties of molecular structures on metal oxides.
While many details of molecular self-assembly have been studied on metal surfaces, molecular structures on
oxide surfaces are largely unexplored. They are of great interest since such system might provide unique ways to
functionalize surfaces. Potential applications range from molecular electronics, solar energy conversion, catalysis and sensor development to biointerfacial engineering.
This project is funded by the DFG within the research group FOR 1878
Functional Molecular Structures on Complex Oxide Surfaces (funCOS).
We apply a large set of experimental techniques to get a complete picture of the structural and electronic properties of molecules on surfaces. Low-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy are used for atomic structure determination. Studies on electronic structure use scanning tunneling spectroscopy and photoemission techniques covering a broad spectral range (two-photon photoemission, UV photoemission, x-rays photoemission). Time-resolved photoemission is performed to gain insight into ultrafast electron dynamics.
This project is part of the activities of the Interdisciplinary Center for Interface Controlled Processes (ICICP) where physicists, chemists and materials scientists are combining efforts to study these molecular systems. If you are interested in this topic, there are BSc/MSc and Diploma theses available.
Contact
Atomic structure determination, scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy
Tobias Schmitt
Alexander Schneider
Electron dynamics, photoemission
Gianluca Di Filippo
Rebecca Pöschel
Thomas Fauster