Electronic transitions and resonance electron scattering measured by electron energy loss spectroscopy of lead phthalocyanine thin film

Abstract

We have measured the electronic transitions of a lead phthalocyanine thin film by means of optical absorption and reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy in the range from 1 to 20 eV. We compare the optical absorption spectrum with the loss spectra and discuss their similarity. We identify the loss structures and we report a new absorption band at 10 eV. In addition we report that the inelastic electron scattering from the lower energy π→ π* transition and from the C–H stretching vibrational mode show energy-dependent structure, characteristic of resonance scattering via temporary negative ion states.