Metal−Molecule Interface Fluctuations

We have created self-assembled circular chains of C₆₀ laterally bound to a layer of Ag atoms as a model system for characterizing fluctuations at a metal−molecule interface. STM measurements show that the Ag and C₆₀ sides of the interface fluctuate independently, with frequency-dependent amplitudes of magnitude 0.1 nm at ∼1 Hz for the Ag edge and ∼0.01 Hz for the C₆₀ ring. The measured frequency spectra of the metal and molecule fluctuation amplitudes will contribute characteristic signatures to transport measurements involving such interfaces.