BRICKSTONE ARRANGEMENT IN J-AGGREGATES OF AN AMPHIPHILIC MEROCYANINE DYE

J-aggregates formed in monolayers of an amphiphilic merocyanine dye were transferred onto solid supports and were investigated by scanning force microscopy (SFM). Islands of bulk phase deposited material were observed after the monofilm transfer onto mica. The islands are up to several mum2 in area and several nm in height. On these islands molecular resolution was achieved in the SFM. The dye molecules are arranged in a rectangular unit cell. The unit cell area was in agreement with data from surface pressure-area isotherms and with the dimensions of the dye molecule. Our SFM data were consistent with a brickstone arrangement of dye molecules in the J-aggregates.