Identifying configuration and orientation of adsorbed molecules by inelastic electron tunneling spectra.

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) topographical images and inelastic electron tunneling spectra (IETS) of a cis-2-butene molecule adsorbed on a Pd(110) surface have been simulated by first-principles calculations. Calculations have eliminated the ambiguity between the STM image and the adsorption orientation caused by the symmetry of the system and local chemical environment. A combination of STM images and IETS spectra has been shown to be particularly useful in determining the configuration of the molecule on the surface.