Identification of isomers in the gas phase and as adsorbates by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy: Cis- and trans-stilbene

Near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectra of the cis- and trans-isomers of stilbene in the gas phase reveal clear differences, which are analyzed by results from density-functional theory calculations using the transition potential approach. The differences between the two species also occur in stilbene adsorbed on Si(100), opening the way towards studying structural changes in molecules in different surface environments, and configurational switching in organic molecules on surfaces in particular.