Scanning tunneling and atomic microscopy images of organic salt conductor (BEDT-TTF)[sub 2]TlHg(SCN)[sub 4]

Journal Article · Thu Sep 09 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Journal of Physical Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100138a017· OSTI ID:5652044

Magonov, S N; Bar, G; Cantow, H J ^[1]; Paradis, J; Ren, J; Whangbo, M H ^[2]; Yagubskii, E B ^[3]

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1. Alberts-Ludwigs Univ., Freiburg (Germany)
2. North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh (United States)
3. Inst. of Chemical Physics, Chernogolovka (Russian Federation)

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images were obtained for the organic conducting salt (BEDT-TTF)[sub 2]TlHg(SCN)[sub 4], in which layers of the cations BEDT-TTF[sup 0.5+] alternate with layers of the anions TlHgSCN[sub 4][sup 2]. These images were interpreted on the basis of the partial and total electron density plots of a cation layer calculated by the extended Hueckel tight-binding (EHTB) electronic band structure method. The observed STM and AFM patterns are dominated by the ethylene group hydrogen atoms of the cations. The patterns and intensity of the STM images vary as a function of the gap resistance. A probable cause for this observation was discussed from the viewpoint of a conformational change in the ethylene groups of BEDT-TTF. Our work provides a strong support for the use of partial and total electron density plots in the interpretation of STM and AFM images. 24 refs., 7 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: FG05-86ER45259
• OSTI ID: 5652044
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 97:36; ISSN JPCHAX; ISSN 0022-3654
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360600 -- Other Materials
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
BAND THEORY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
IMAGES
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
MICROSCOPY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SALTS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
THALLIUM COMPOUNDS