Abstract
The C 1s photoelectron energy loss spectra of tris (8-hydroxy-quinoline) aluminum (Alq$_3$) and N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis (3-methyl phenyl)-1,1'-bi-phenyl-4,4'-diamine (TPD) thin films have been investigated. Two major loss structures, namely the plasmon dominated loss lines and shake-up satellites, have been observed. The shake-up spectrum of the C 1s photoelectron line is directly related to the $\pi$-$\pi$$\^$*/ energy gap of the molecule which plays an important role in organic electroluminescent materials. The molecular orbitals of Alq$_3$ and TPD and their major components, quinolime and benzene, have been calculated with the AMI semi-empirical method. The amount of the plasma-dominated loss of Alq$_3$ and TPD, which has to do with the delocalization of electrons through the molecule, was about 24 eV, alike in both cases. The main peak of the C 1s shake-up spectrum of Alq$_3$ and TPD, however, was 5.2 eV and 6.8 eV respectively. It was found that the main shake-up peak reflects more the local $\pi$\longrightarrow$\pi$$\^$*/ transition of quinoline and benzene component rather than the excitation of the whole molecule of Alq$_3$ and TPD. The C 1s shake-up spectra, however, revealed some correlation with the optical energy gap of the organic eletroluminescent materials.