Measuring Charge Distribution of Molecular Cations by an Atomic Coulomb Probe Microscope

Imaging the charge distributions and structures of molecules clusters will promote understanding dynamics quantum system. Here, we report a method by using an Ar atom as tip to probe benzene (Bz) cations in gas phase. Remarkably, measured Bz cation (QH =0.204,QC=-0.037)and dication =0.248,QC=0.0853)agree well with calculated Mulliken distributions,and dimer is reconstructed distributions. The two isomers (T-shaped PD isomers) can be resolved from inter-molecular potential V(R) between ions, agree theoretical predictions.