Credit Points:   3

Prerequisites: 0542.1830-Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering, or any other basic course in Materials, or Materials Physics

Introduction to surfaces: surface physics, thermodynamics, and mechanics (surface energies, stresses, Wulf construction, etc). Surface studies and ultra-high vacuum (UHV): some UHV basics, the kinetic theory of gases, surface preparation. Surface structures and reconstructions: 2D real lattice concept, crystallography, symmetry, reciprocal lattice, ideal singular surfaces, e.g. metals and realistic surfaces (relaxation, reconstruction, TLK model, and stepped surfaces, e.g. in semiconductors). Woods and matrix notation. Adsorption, desorption, order, and coverage: definition of coverage, chemisorption and physisorption, kinetics and energetics, Langmuir isotherm, adsorbate overlayer geometries and structures. Determination of surface structure and topography: reciprocal space (LEED, RHEED) and real space (STM) methods. Introduction to epitaxial growth: growth modes, molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), strained-layer heteroepitaxy & self-assembly.

Some demonstrations will be made at the “Surface Science & Nanostructures” laboratory.