Scanning tunnelling microscopy investigations of organic thin film topography

Abstract We present scanning tunnelling microscopy images of the surface topography of thin films of erbium bis(phthalocyanine) and tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ). The images are obtained under low vacuum conditions for specimens which have been stored in the open air for several days. Comparison is made with scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy micrographs. Reproducible features can be interpreted as microcrystallites and in the case of TTF-TCNQ even as molecular growth steps.