Organizing C60 molecules on a nanostructured Au(111) surface

We have studied, using scanning tunneling microscopy, the adsorption of C₆₀ molecules on a nanostructured Au(111) surface consisting of artificially created two-dimensional cavities. These cavities, one atomic layer deep, are found to be effective as molecular traps at room temperature. Gold atoms at step edges are found to respond to the adsorption of C₆₀ molecules and gross faceting is observed for steps connected with R30° oriented C₆₀ molecular islands. Structural models are proposed to establish the step structures related to all three types of molecular islands.