Surface migration dynamics of a planar organic molecule studied by pulsed molecular beam scattering

Pulsed molecular beam scattering technique was applied to analyze the dynamics of a large planar molecule migrating on various surfaces (Au(1 1 1), graphite(0001), mica (001), amorphous silicon oxide). It was found that molecules can stay on the surface for seconds without condensation. Activation energies have a magnitude comparable to those of a single ionic or covalent bonding, which reflects the additivity of the van der Waals interaction. Possible contribution of the diffusion to the surface residence time is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.