Formation of nano-hillocks by impact of swift heavy ions on thin films of TiO2

Amorphous thin films of TiO₂ are irradiated by swift heavy ion (SHI) beam. Surface topography is studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Formation of nanosized oblate hillocks on the surface of irradiated films is investigated by AFM studies. After irradiation, amorphous to crystalline phase transition is observed in glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD) and Raman spectroscopy studies. Photoluminescence (PL)-spectroscopy is carried out for optical characterization. Threshold value necessary for emergence of hillocks is estimated.     

Barrier formation at organic interfaces in a Cu(100)-benzenethiolate-pentacene heterostructure

The energy level alignment at the metal-organic and organic-organic interfaces of the Cu(100)/benzenethiolate/pentacene heterostructure is studied by photoemission spectroscopy and discussed theoretically using a model that includes, in a consistent way, charge transfer, Pauli repulsion, intrinsic molecular dipoles, and interface screening as a function of coverage. Despite the different nature of the two interfaces, our model provides a unified explanation for the work-function changes at both junctions and enables us to determine the benzenethiolate orientation as a function of coverage.