Ionization potentials of crystalline organic thin films: Position dependence due to molecular shape and charge redistribution

In addition to electronic polarization or charge redistribution, the shape of neutral conjugated molecules yields position-dependent ionization potentials and electron affinities in organic thin films. Self-consistent I(n) and A(n) are computed in each layer n of 10-layer films of prototypical organics on a metal. The depth dependence of I(n) is discussed at surfaces of anthracene, C60 and PTCDA. The shape contribution can be substantial, up to 0.5 eV, and comes primarily from charge-quadrupole interactions.