Solid surfaces, interfaces and thin films

Surface physics in the classical sense of ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) based - perimental approaches to understand well-de?ned surfaces has now become a mature branch of condensed matter research. Meanwhile, however, the th- retical concepts and experimental techniques developed in this?eld have also become the basis for modern interface, thin?lm and nanostructure science. Furthermore, these research?elds are of fundamental importance for more applied branches of science, such as micro- and nanoelectronics, catalysis and corrosion research, surface protection, chemo- and biosensors, microsystems and nanostructured materials. The physics of solid surfaces, interfaces and thin?lms is thus an important?eld which needs to be taught to all students in physics, microelectronics, engineering and material science. It is thus no surprise that this topic has now entered the corresponding university curricula throughout the world. In the present 4th edition of this book (formerly entitled “Surfaces and - terfaces of Solid Materials”) more emphasis is placed on the relation between the surfaces, interfaces and thin?lms, and on newly discovered phenomena related to low dimensions. Accordingly, a few topics of the earlier editions that are now only of peripheral interest have been omitted. On the other hand, a new chapter dealing with collective phenomena at interfaces has been added: Superconductor–semiconductor interfaces and thin ferromagnetic?lms have attracted considerable attention in of late. This is mainly due to our improved understanding of these phenomena, but also to important application aspects which have recently emerged.

This book emphasises both experimental and theoretical aspects of surface, interface and thin film physics. Compa- red to the earlier editions, which bore the title Surfaces and Interfaces of Solid Materials, the book now places more emphasis on thin films, including also their superconducting and ferromagnetic properties. The present 4th edition thus presents techniques of preparing well-defined solid surfaces and interfaces, fundamental aspects of adsorption and layer growth, as well as basic models for the descripti- on of structural, vibronic and electronic properties of sur- faces, interfaces and thin films. Because of their importan- ce for modern information technology, significant attention is paid to the electronic properties of semiconductor inter- faces and heterostructures. Collective phenomena , such as superconductivity and ferromagnetism, also feature promi- nently. Experimental sections covering essential measurement and preparation techniques are presented in separate panels.