Melting transition of two-dimensional butadiene iron tricarbonyl studied by optical spectroscopy

We propose optical spectroscopy for investigation of phase transitions of two-dimensional (2D) physisorbed matter. The usefulness is demonstrated by investigation of the physisorbed butadiene iron tricarbonyl [Fe(CO)₃{C}₄H₆] molecule as our model system. The remission spectrum reveals the melting transitions of this 2D system and its melting phase diagram. Melting of the film is indicated by distinct alteration of the Rayleigh scattering properties of these molecules. Besides, we obtain absorption bands of Fe(CO)₃{C}₄H₆ in its 2D state (i.e., physisorbed on BN), revealing interesting band splittings. These splittings can be correlated to condensation of these molecules into the 2D plane.