Electron damage to supported ice investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy.
We study the interaction of low-energy electrons with crystalline ice (D2O) on Cu(111) by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Electrons induce dissociation of the molecules with a threshold of approximately 3 eV. The large dissociation yield of the order of 10(-8)/electron and the extended area of dissociation are attributed to a shift in conduction band during the dissociation. Voltage dependent differences in imaging of ice and dissociated ice are reflected in the spectroscopic signature.
Mehlhorn
Michael
M
Institut für Festkörperphysik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstrasse 2, D-30167 Hannover, Germany.
Gawronski
Heiko
H
Morgenstern
Karina
K