Surface and Interface Science - Spring
of 2021
First meeting: Wednesday, January 20, 10:20 to 11:40 AM
room TBD
Course Supervisor: Prof. Sylvie Rangan, Nanophysics Laboratory (NPL) room 208, rangan@physics.rutgers.edu,
848-445-8419.
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. We will discuss surfaces of metals, oxides and
semiconductors, as well as solid-solid and solid-liquid interfaces. Modern
ultrahigh vacuum experimental methods will be discussed: theoretical basis,
experimental aspects, and data interpretation. Topical lectures by guest
lecturers addressing thin films, nanostructures and low-dimensional systems
will also be offered.
The earlier part of the semester will emphasize theoretical and experimental aspects of
the electronic and geometric structure of surfaces, and an introduction to
adsorption, desorption and diffusion. Later in the semester, we will
emphasize important surface processes, including atom and ion scattering,
dynamical phenomena, and surface reactions. In addition, we will discuss
several important applied areas (e.g., semiconductor processing, nanoscience,
heterogeneous catalysis, film growth) where surface science techniques are
being exploited.
There should have been four hands-on labs, where you
would get some hands-on experience from working with state-of-the-art research
equipment: Transmission electron microscopy, Helium ion microscopy, X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. These labs will now be adapted to be remote and will replace
one lecture in the week they are scheduled.
The main written material for the course will be
lecture notes (posted on canvas). The following two books are recommended:
|
"Physics at
Surfaces" by Andrew Zangwill (Cambridge U. Press,
1988) Used copies cost ~$10 on
Amazon |
"Surface Physics, an
Introduction" by Philip Hofmann Available for download (pdf
format) for ~ $11 |
The following books have been (or will be) placed on
reserve in the Math - Physics Library. You will find them as useful reference
books in your career but I do not recommend that you purchase them now:
|
"Modern Techniques
of Surface Science, 2nd Edition", by D. P. Woodruff and T. A. Delchar, (Cambridge U. Press, 1994) "Practical Surface
Analysis" Second Edition, Vol 1, (1990) by D. Briggs and M. P. Seah "Low Energy
Electrons and Surface Chemistry", Second Edition (1985) by G. Ertl and J. Kuppers "Surface Science, an
Introduction", (1992) by J. B. Hudson "Metal Surface
Electron Physics", (1996) by A. Kiejna and K.
F. Wojciechowski "Surfaces and
Interfaces of Solids", Second Edition (1993) by H. Luth "Introduction to
Surface Physics", (1994) by M. Prutton "Introduction to
Surface Chemistry and Catalysis", (1994) by G. A. Somorjai "Principles of
Adsorption and Reaction on Solid Surfaces", (1996) by R. I. Masel |
Examination: There will be homework assignments and a final paper (~12 pages) on a topic
chosen by you in consultation with me, as well as an oral presentation of your
paper to the class.
A lecture schedule will be posted soon.