Nanoscale Physics of  Molecules and Surfaces

Our group investigate fundamental phenomena in molecular physics and surface physics at the atomic length scale. Our main approach is to use a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) under various ambient conditions to study the structure of molecules and surfaces and their local electronic configuration.  A scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) provides high-spatially resolved spectroscopic information of surfaces and adsorbate systems. Many of the electronic, magnetic, vibrational, structural,... properties of materials can be in this way investigated with atomic resolution.

 
In this web, you may get a quick overview on our present research. We aim at identifying novel properties for systems with low dimensionality, at understanding electronic transport, electronic dynamics and electronic scattering at the atomic scale, and developing single molecule manipulation tools through the controlled localization of molecular excitations or interatomic forces induced with the tip of the STM. The goal is to detect new phenomena existing at the nanometer scale, which provide us with a deeper understanding about how matter is and how we can tune its properties.

We form part of the following collaborative research programs: Sfb 658 “Molecular switches”, the SPP 1243 “Quantum transport” and the ESF network EIPAM “Electron induced processes at the molecular scale”.