The influence of Si/Au interface on the appearance of the quantum size effect (QSE) in ultrathin Au films on Si(1 1 1) surface is investigated. Angle-resolved photoemission measurements indicate QSE states in Au layers grown on the Si(1 1 1) surface with the (7 x 7), (6 x 6)Au and (root 3 x root 3)Ag reconstructions and show no QSE for the (root 3 x root 3)Pb reconstruction. Reflection high energyelectron diffraction patterns indicate that the existence of the QSE states depends on the Au film morphology. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.