Concepts in Surface Physics (Springer Series in Surface Sciences)

The study of phenomena at solid surfaces is of great importance in physics, because a solid sample is always in contact with other media via its surface. "Concepts in Surface Physics" provides a tutorial treatment of the main concepts of the physics of crystal surfaces. Emphasis is placed on simplified calculations - and the corresponding detailed analytical derivations - that are able to throw light on the most important physical mechanisms. More rigorous techniques, which often require a large amount of computer time, are also explained. Theory is compared with experimentwhere possible, with the experimental methods being described from a theoretical rather than a technical viewpoint. Topics treated include thermodynamic and statistical properties of clean and absorbate covered surfaces, atomic structure, vibrational properties, electronic structure, and the theory of physisorption and chemisorption.