Imaging Substrate-Mediated Interactions

Surface features and adsorbates perturb the electronic properties of the surrounding substrate surface. This modifies the adsorption, dynamics, and chemistry of nearby atoms and molecules. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we have imaged these perturbations and the resulting ordering and dynamics for benzene on Cu{111} at low temperature and dilute coverage. We discuss the important implications that substrate-mediated interactions can have on the atomic-scale mechanisms and control of film growth and heterogeneous selective catalysis.