# Imaging isodensity contours of molecular states with STM

## TL;DR

This paper introduces an improved STM imaging technique that maps surface topography while maintaining constant differential conductance, enabling direct visualization of molecular orbitals and their hybridization in C60 molecules.

## Contribution

The paper presents a novel method for imaging local density of states with STM that accurately visualizes molecular orbitals and their hybridization in C60 molecules.

## Key findings

- Iso-dI/dV maps agree with theoretical isodensity contours.
- Direct visualization of superatomic C60 orbitals achieved.
- Method enables unambiguous identification of orbital hybridization.

## Abstract

We present an improved way for imaging the local density of states with a scanning tunneling microscope, which consists in mapping the surface topography while keeping the differential conductance (d$I$/d$V$) constant. When archetypical C$_{60}$ molecules on Cu(111) are imaged with this method, these so-called iso-d$I$/d$V$ maps are in excellent agreement with theoretical simulations of the isodensity contours of the molecular orbitals. A direct visualization and unambiguous identification of superatomic C$_{60}$ orbitals and their hybridization is then possible.