Abstract
Submonolayer coverages of the molecule 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) deposited on NaCl(001) surfaces were imaged with high resolution noncontact-atomic force microscopy. Two island types were observed: monolayer islands with a epitaxy at low coverage and a mixture of these and bulklike crystallites at higher coverage. The transition between the pure monolayer islands and mixed islands occurs at , corresponding to a complete layer. Calculations show the epitaxy to be incompatible with a multilayer crystal of PTCDA. Consequently, the growth of additional layers results in an adaptation of the interface structure forcing a dewetting transition.
- Received 23 November 2007
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.186104
©2008 American Physical Society