First observation by reflection-electron-energy-loss spectroscopy of carbon and nitrogen K-shell near-edge spectra of chemisorbed molecules

The C 1s excitation spectrum of benzene chemisorbed on polycrystalline Cu and the C1s and N 1s spectra of pyridine adsorbed at submonolayer coverages on Cu and Ag(100) have been recorded by reflection inelastic electron scattering. The near-edge electron-energy-loss fine-structure spectra are found to be similar to the corresponding near-edge x-ray-absorption fine-structure spectra. The ability of reflection-electron-energy-loss spectroscopy to determine molecular orientation is demonstrated by the detection of different orientations of pyridine on the Cu and Ag(100) surfaces.