Characterisation of Solid Surfaces

Methods for characterization of surfaces. The methods include photon-, electron-, and ion-induced spectroscopic methods, with emphasis on XPS (X-ray photoemission spectroscopy), UPS (ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy), AUGER spectroscopy, LEED (low energy electron diffraction), IRAS (infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy), RAS (reflection anisotropy spectroscopy), second harmonic generation at surfaces (SHG) and SPM (scanning probe microscopy). The course also includes an introduction to vacuum technology and RGA (rest gas analysis). The course is taught every other year, final year taught is 2012/13.

The students should have profound knowledge about the theoretical basis for selected methods, including XPS, UPS, Auger spectroscopy, LEED, IRAS, RAS, second harmonic generation and SPM techniques, for characterizing solid surfaces and which physical phenomena which can be investigated using the different methods. They should furthermore be able to describe the construction and functionality of state-of-the-art instrumentation applied for these methods.

The students should know how to interpret experimental results obtained by applying the selected techniques and evaluate which method that is suitable for addressing a given scientific question.

Lectures, colloquia, or guided self study, depending on the number of students. Laboratory demonstrations.