Metal-molecule interface fluctuations

We have created self-assembled circular chains of C-60 laterally bound to a layer of Ag atoms as a model system for characterizing fluctuations at a metal-molecule interface. STM measurements show that the Ag and C-60 sides of the interface fluctuate independently, with frequency-dependent amplitudes of magnitude 0.1 nm at similar to 1 Hz for the Ag edge and similar to 0.01 Hz for the C-60 ring. The measured frequency spectra of the metal and molecule fluctuation amplitudes will contribute characteristic signatures to transport measurements involving such interfaces.