One-dimensional chains of C60 molecules on Cu(2 2 1)

On Cu(221) it is possible to grow long ordered one-dimensional chains of C60 molecules aligned along the steps of this vicinal template. By scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) a unit cell with two distinctly imaged molecules is found. From distribution of the rare defects a bond energy difference of the two types of molecules is inferred. At least in one of the two species, the molecules have a well-defined orientation as determined by X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD).