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Abstract

Using scanned-energy mode photoelectron diffraction we have determined the adsorption geometry for the c(2×4) phase of ethylene on Ni{110} at saturation coverage of 0.5 ML, and at a lower coverage of 0.2 ML when no long-range ordered overlayer is seen. The structural optimisation is based on comparison of the experimental data with the results of multiple scattering calculations. For the c(2×4) phase the two molecules per primitive unit mesh occupy slightly different low-symmetry sites approximately midway between short-bridge and atop. There is a significant tilt of the C-C axis with respect to the surface plane of about 10°. The C-C axes of the molecules are preferentially aligned along the close-packed Ni rows, but are offset in 〈100〉 directions away from the ridges by about 0.2 Å. At low coverage the corresponding modulation spectra are very similar to those of the ordered phase; detailed optimisation of the fits to these low coverage spectra confirms that the local adsorption site is also one of low symmetry between atop and bridge.