Patterning of Vinylferrocene on H−Si(100) via Self-Directed Growth of Molecular Lines and STM-Induced Decomposition

Vinylferrocene was used to grow ordered molecular lines on the H−Si(100) surface via a self-directed growth process. High-resolution STM images reveal a zigzag structure within the lines that results from the relief of steric crowding of the molecules. Scanning with more than −4.0 V of sample bias reproducibly destroys the molecules, leaving smaller decomposition products in their place. The energetics of both adsorption and decomposition of …