Surface and Interface Science Laboratory

Our research focuses on describing details of the energy transport and conversion at the solid surfaces and interfaces in the nanoscale regime. In order to understand their basic mechanism at a single molecule/atom level, we carry out combined study of density functional theory calculation and scanning probe microscopy/spectroscopy on the well-defined solid surfaces under ultra-high vacuum condition. Part of our research is directed toward investigation of single-molecule chemistry by use of vibrational and electronic quantum states on metal or metal oxide thin film surfaces. Another important part of our research focuses on self-assembled organic thin films aiming at understanding their microscopic structure and electronic properties, and their use as template for the development of molecular-based functional materials. In addition, we have recently started working on detection of THz photons from a single molecule and on atomic scale investigation of energy conversion between electrons and photons of the nanometer scale materials.

Research Subjects

• Single-molecule chemistry on the surfaces of metal single crystals and metal oxide thin films
• Investigation of structure and electronic properties of self-assembled organic thin films
• Study of energy transport and conversion at the nano-scale surfaces and interfaces

Publications

1. Tomoko K. Shimizu (§), Jaehoon Jung (§), Tetsuya Otani, Young-Kyu Han, Maki Kawai, and Yousoo Kim:
   "Two dimensional superstructure formation of fluorinated fullerene on Au(111): A scanning tunneling microscopy study"
   ACS Nano 6 (2012) 2679
2. Emi Minamitani, Noriyuki Tsukahara, Daisuke Matsunaka, Yousoo Kim, Noriaki Takagi, and Maki Kawai:
   "Ligand field effect at oxide-metal interface on the chemical reactivity of ultrathin oxide film surface"
   Phys. Rev. Lett. 109 (2012) 86602
3. Emi Minamitani, Daisuke Matsunaka, Noriyuki Tsukahara, Noriaki Takagi, Maki Kawai, and Yousoo Kim:
   "Density functional theory calculation for magnetism of Fe-phthalocyanine molecules on Au(111)"
   e-J. Surf. Sci. Nanotech. 10 (2012) 38
4. Tomonari Okada, Yousoo Kim, Yasuyuki Sainoo, Tadahiro Komeda, Michael Trenary, and Maki Kawai:
   "Ordering of molecules with π-conjugated triangular core by switching hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions"
   J. Phys. Chem. C 116 (2012) 17082
5. Ryuichi Arafune, Hyung-Joon Shin, Jaehoon Jung, Emi Minamitani, Noriaki Takagi, Yousoo Kim, and Maki Kawai:
   "Combined scanning tunneling microscopy and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy study on the adsorption state of CO on Ag(001)"
   Langmuir 28 (2012) 13249
6. Hyo Won Kim, Mina Han, Hyung-Joon Shin, Seongjoon Lim, Youngtek Oh, Kaoru Tamada, Masahiko Hara, Yousoo Kim, Maki Kawai, and Young Kuk:
   "Control of molecular rotors by selection of anchoring sites"
   Phys. Rev. Lett. 106 (2011) 146101
7. Hyo Won Kim, Jaehoon Jung, Mina Han, Seongjoon Lim, Kaoru Tamada, Masahiko Hara, Maki Kawai, Yousoo Kim, and Young Kuk:
   "One-dimensional molecular zippers"
   J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133 (2011) 9236
8. Jaehoon Jung, Hyung-Joon Shin, Yousoo Kim, and Maki Kawai:
   "Activation of ultrathin oxide films for chemical reaction by interface defects"
   J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133 (2011) 6142
9. Kenta Motobayashi, Yousoo Kim, Hiromu Ueba, and Maki Kawai:
   "Insights into action spectroscopy for single molecule motion and reactions through inelastic electron tunneling"
   Phys. Rev. Lett. 105 (2010) 076101
10. Hyung-Joon Shin, Jaehoon Jung, Kenta Motobayashi, Susumu Yanagisawa, Yoshitada Morikawa, Yousoo Kim, and Maki Kawai:
    "State-selective dissociation of a single water molecule on an ultrathin MgO film"
    Nature Materials 9 (2010) 442