Mapping the femtosecond dynamics of supported clusters with nanometer resolution

In this paper we present a combined STM, SEM and time-resolved PEEM study of silver clusters on a nano-patterned HOPG-substrate, exhibiting areas of different defect type and defect densities. The areas show small but distinct differences in the femtosecond dynamics associated with electronic excitations in the clusters. We assign these differences to variations in the cluster size distribution and variations in the cluster-substrate interaction as governed by the bonding to the different defect types.