Unveiling the anisotropic behavior of ultrafast electron transfer at the metal/organic interface

Ultrafast electron transfer between adsorbed organic molecules and metal substrates is studied. In particular, the dynamics of active in nitroethylene anion/metal-copper surface system has been followed real time using a wave packet propagation approach, allowing rigorous analysis decay molecule-localized electronic resonances. We find that strong coupling with substrate leads to an extremely short lifetime (~1fs) π∗ molecular resonance. Comparison free-electron metal, Cu(1 0 0), 1 1) surfaces demonstrates band structure shape decaying orbital lead highly marked anisotropy continuum states populated by resonant from adsorbate. This finding points at possible effects adsorbate–adsorbate interactions it particular importance self assembly surfaces, thus opening way rational design hybrid metal/organic interfaces tailored properties.