Program Overview

Program Overview

The Surface and Interface Science program is designed to acquaint students in physics, chemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering with the static and dynamic behavior of clean and adsorbate-covered solid surfaces and interfaces. The program covers both theoretical and experimental aspects, including geometrical structure, surface morphology, electronic structure, surface composition, kinetics and dynamics, and structure and reactivity of surface molecules.

Program Structure

The program is structured to emphasize theoretical and experimental aspects of the electronic and geometric structure of surfaces in the earlier part of the semester. Later in the semester, the focus shifts to important surface processes, including atom and ion scattering, dynamical phenomena, and surface reactions. The program also covers applied areas such as semiconductor processing, nanoscience, heterogeneous catalysis, and film growth.

Course Content

The program includes the following topics:

• Geometrical structure
  • Surface morphology
  • Electronic structure
• Surface composition
• Kinetics and dynamics
  • Adsorption
  • Scattering
  • Vibrations
  • Diffusion
  • Desorption
• Structure and reactivity of surface molecules
• Non-thermal excitations of surfaces
• Catalysis and surface reactions
• Surfaces of metals, oxides, and semiconductors
• Solid-solid and solid-liquid interfaces
• Modern ultrahigh vacuum experimental methods
• Theoretical basis
• Experimental aspects
• Data interpretation

Labs and Lectures

The program includes four hands-on labs, which provide students with hands-on experience working with state-of-the-art research equipment:

• Transmission electron microscopy
• Helium ion microscopy
• X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy These labs are adapted to be remote and replace one lecture in the week they are scheduled. Topical lectures by guest lecturers addressing thin films, nanostructures, and low-dimensional systems are also offered.

Course Materials

The main written material for the course is lecture notes. The following books are recommended:

• "Physics at Surfaces" by Andrew Zangwill
• "Surface Physics, an Introduction" by Philip Hofmann Additional reference books are available on reserve in the Math-Physics Library, including:
  • "Modern Techniques of Surface Science, 2nd Edition" by D. P. Woodruff and T. A. Delchar
  • "Practical Surface Analysis" Second Edition, Vol 1, by D. Briggs and M. P. Seah
  • "Low Energy Electrons and Surface Chemistry" Second Edition by G. Ertl and J. Kuppers
  • "Surface Science, an Introduction" by J. B. Hudson
  • "Metal Surface Electron Physics" by A. Kiejna and K. F. Wojciechowski
  • "Surfaces and Interfaces of Solids" Second Edition by H. Luth
  • "Introduction to Surface Physics" by M. Prutton
  • "Introduction to Surface Chemistry and Catalysis" by G. A. Somorjai
  • "Principles of Adsorption and Reaction on Solid Surfaces" by R. I. Masel

Assessment

The program includes homework assignments and a final paper on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with the course supervisor, as well as an oral presentation of the paper to the class. A lecture schedule will be posted soon.