Surface and Interface Science
Physics 627 / Chemistry 541
Fall 2010

Course Information:

The objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the experimental and theoretical aspects of surface and interface science.  The course will be jointly taught by members of several departments in the physical sciences.

The purpose of the course is to acquaint students in physics, chemistry, materials science and electrical engineering with the static and dynamic behavior of clean and adsorbate-covered solid surfaces and interfaces, from both theoretical and experimental points of view.  Topics will include geometrical structure, surface morphology, electronic structure, surface composition, kinetics and dynamics (adsorption, scattering, vibrations, diffusion, desorption), structure and reactivity of surface molecules, non-thermal excitations of surfaces, catalysis and surface reactions.  Surfaces of metals, oxides and semiconductors will be considered, as well as solid-solid and solid-liquid interfaces.  Modern ultrahigh vacuum experimental methods will be discussed:  theoretical basis, experimental aspects, and data interpretation.

This course is a single semester version of what in previous years had been present as a two semester course.  In addition, we have incorporated new material addressing aspects of interface properties and phenomena. Topics include theoretical and experimental aspects of the electronic and geometric structure of surfaces, an introduction to adsorption, desorption and diffusion, surface processes, including atom and ion scattering, dynamical phenomena, and surface reactions, film growth, aspects of semiconductor processing, nanoscience, and heterogeneous catalysis.

The course requirements include 4 or 5 homework assignments, a midterm examination in November, a paper (approx. 12 pages) due at the end of the semester, and an oral presentation based on the paper.

Course Personnel:

Course Supervisor: R.A. Bartynski (Physics)

Additional Faculty:
L.C. Feldman (Physics and Materials Science)  l.c.feldman@rci.rutgers.edu
E. Garfunkel (Chemistry)   egarf@rci.rutgers.edu
D.C. Langreth (Physics)  langreth@physics.rutgers.edu
T. Gustafsson (Physics)  gustaf@physics.rutgers.edu
B.J. Hinch (Chemistry)  hinch@rutchem.rutgers.edu
D. Vanderbilt (Physics) dhv@physics.rutgers.edu
F. Zimmermann (Physics)  fmz@physics.rutgers.edu

In addition, several other faculty members will present lectures in their areas of expertise, including:  P. Batson (Physics/Materials Science), M. Chhowalla (Materials Science), W.  Wu (Physics), Sean Oh (Physics), V. Podzorov (Physics) and P. Moghe (Biomedical Engineering).

LECTURE SCHEDULE

Monday,  Noon - 1:20 PM; SEC 211 
Thursday,  1:40 - 3:00 PM; SEC 218