Observation of a molecule–metal interface charge transfer related feature by resonant photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract

We report the discovery of a charge transfer (CT) related low binding energy feature at a molecule–metal interface by the application of resonant photoelectron spectroscopy (RPES). This interface feature is neither present for molecular bulk samples nor for the clean substrate. A detailed analysis of the spectroscopic signature of the low binding energy feature shows characteristics of electronic interaction not found in other electron spectroscopic techniques. Within a cluster model description this feature is assigned to a particular eigenstate of the photoionized system that is invisible in direct photoelectron spectroscopy but revealed in RPES through a relative resonant enhancement. Interpretations based on considering only the predominant character of the eigenstates explain the low binding energy feature by an occupied lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, which is either realized through CT in the ground or in the intermediate state. This reveals that molecule–metal CT is responsible for this feature. Consequently, our study demonstrates the sensitivity of RPES to electronic interactions and constitutes a new way to investigate CT at molecule–metal interfaces.