Diffusion and dimer formation of CO molecules induced by femtosecond laser pulses.
We investigate two fundamental steps of a nonadiabatic surface process, the photo-induced movement and approach of CO molecules on the Cu(111) surface, at a hitherto unachieved single-molecule level through scanning tunneling microscope imaging. For the close approach of two CO molecules, we not only determine the nonadiabatic diffusion barrier (87 meV), but also discover a femto-second-laser-induced transient attraction (30 meV) of the usually repelling CO molecules.
Mehlhorn
Michael
M
Abteilung ATMOS, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstrasse 2, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
Gawronski
Heiko
H
Morgenstern
Karina
K