Excitation of Molecules Using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) has been a powerful method of imaging surfaces with very high spatial resolution. Another important use of STM is the study of molecular reaction pathways brought about by inelastic electron tunneling. In this process, tunneling electrons containing energy above a threshold bring about an excitation in the molecular system which leads to reaction pathways as the excited molecule consequently relaxes along its potential energy surface. The study of such reactions, more recently, using ultrafast methods in conjunction, has seen exciting developments in the field of surface chemistry.