Project C04

C04 Study and control of surface photochemistry using a local excitation microscope

The project C04 targets the response of catalytically active molecules adsorbed on surfaces upon a strongly localized excitation through electrons, photons and electrostatic fields. We are interested in the initial steps of chemical reactions and how these can be controlled by the substrate and atomic scale design of the local environment. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy will be used as tools to get access to site specific reaction mechanisms and reaction rates. Within the central topic of the CRC, this approach opens a way for controlling and analyzing local excitations on the atomic/molecular level. Eventually, this will be the basis for understanding the relevant excitation and relaxation pathways, which will allow for deducing selective control mechanisms.