Adsorption geometry of individual fullerene on Si surface at room-temperature

The adsorption properties of individual fullerene molecules at room-temperature have been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. Statistical analysis of the images demonstrates that fullerene molecules prefer to adsorb on five specific sites: corner hole, the middle of the faulted and unfaulted parts, and the top of the rest atoms within the faulted and unfaulted parts. High-resolution images of individual fullerene molecules on each of the adsorption sites show distinct intramolecular structures. By combining these internal fine structures with theoretical simulations, the molecular orientations at each of the adsorption sites can be unambiguously determined.