title: Probing the atomic structure of metallic nanoclusters with the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope.
abstract: Preformed Co clusters with an average diameter of 2.5 nm are produced in the gas phase and are deposited under controlled ultra-high vacuum conditions onto a thin insulating NaCl film on Au(111). Relying on a combined experimental and theoretical investigation, we demonstrate visualization of the three-dimensional atomic structure of the Co clusters by high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) using a Cl functionalized STM tip that can be obtained on the NaCl surface. More generally, use of a functionalized STM tip may allow for systematic atomic structure determination with STM of nanoparticles that are deposited on metal surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Solid-State Physics and Magnetism, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200 D, BE-3001 Leuven, Belgium. Koen.Schouteden@fys.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schouteden
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lauwaet
authors.forename: Ewald
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barcaro
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fortunelli
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Haesendonck
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lievens
mesh_terms: D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006046:Gold