Stability of Surface Steps on β-ET₂I₃ Surfaces and Removal of Molecules by an STM Tip

Abstract

We have observed, using the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), that molecules at the β- (ET) ₂I₃ (001) surface are removed by scanning the STM tip. Such removal of the molecules is followed by a systematic change in the directions and the structures of the surface steps. We discuss the stability of the observed steps, based on the molecular arrangement on (001) surfaces terminated by I₃ and ET layers. Both the change of the surface steps and the STM images successively recorded at the same area indicate that the I₃ and ET layers are alternately removed by the STM tip.