Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Low-Dimensional Organic Systems

Abstract

In the context of electronic devices based on so-called conjugated polymers, it is of critical importance to understand the
effects of exposing the polymers to the conditions encountered during manufacture or the operation of the devices. It has
been shown that photoelectron spectroscopy, in combination with quantum mechanical calculations, is well suited for characterisation
of conjugated polymers, which in many cases behave as nearly one-dimensional systems. Applications of the combined experimental
and theoretical approach are described, to illustrate the nature and the degree of information, which may be obtained. The
approach is applied to studies of the chemical and electronic structure of the pristine polymer materials, as well as studies
of chemical interactions and reactions. Examples discussed include the interaction of water molecules with a particular conjugated
polymer, and chemical reactions which occur upon exposure to UV-light in the atmosphere. Moreover, discussions of the interaction
of metal atoms with the surfaces of conjugated polymers, and nature of the fundamental charge storage states in conjugated
polymers, are included.