Quantifying Electric Dipole Moment of Single Chlorine Atom Adsorbed on Ag(111) with Scanning Quantum Dot Microscopy

Halogen-metal interactions are fundamental to applications in heterogeneous catalysis and microelectronics, yet their atomic-level mechanisms remain incompletely understood due to the complex nature of these interactions, which range from chemisorbed species to the formation of surface halides. Herein, scanning quantum dot microscopy, a novel technique that provides high-resolution imaging of the electrostatic potential of individual adatoms, is employed to quantify the surface dipole moment of chlorine on Ag(111). The measurements reveal a dipole moment of -0.85 Debye, consistent with values derived from work function data, providing new insights into charge redistribution at halogen-metal interfaces.