Concepts in Surface Physics [Paperback]

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. Wherever possible, the theory is compared to practice, with the experimental methods being described from a theoretical rather than a technical viewpoint.
The topics treated include thermodynamic and statistical properties of clean and adsorbate-covered surfaces, atomic structure, vibrational properties, electronic structure, and the theory of physisorption and chemisorption. The whole is rounded off with new excercises.Concepts in Surface Physics presents a tutorial treatment of the main concepts and phenomena 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. The topics treated include thermodynamic and statistical properties of clean nd adsorbate-covered surfaces, atomic structure, vibrational properties, electronic structure, and the theory of physisorption and chemisorption. As well as including some improvements on the original book, this second edition has been supplemented with problems to encourage students to investigate the subject more thoroughly.1. Introduction.- 2. Thermodynamical and Statistical Properties of Clean Surfaces.- 2.1 Thermodynamics of a Surface at Equilibrium.- 2.2 Equilibrium Shape of a Crystal.- 2.3 Facetting.- 2.4 The Roughening Transition.- 2.4.1 Generalities.- 2.4.2 Macroscopic Approach: The Continuum Limit.- a) One Dimensional Case: Statistics of a Step.- b) The Two Dimensional Case: Statistics of a Surfaclw