Surface and Interface Science (16:750:627) Spring 25

The Surface and Interface Science course (16:750:627) will be offered in Spring 25. It is an ideal resource for graduate students to learn about surface fundamental properties, as well as state-of-the-art material characterization.

The purpose of the course is to acquaint graduate students in physics, chemistry, material science and electrical engineering with the nature 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, aspects of kinetics and dynamics at surfaces, structure and reactivity of surface molecules, surfaces reactions. Experimental methods will be discussed such as state-of-the art scanning probe methods, charged particles microscopy, and surface-sensitive spectroscopic techniques. Topical lectures by guest lecturers addressing for example thin film growth, synchrotron spectroscopic methods or organic surfaces will also be offered.

There will be four labs done on state-of-the-art research instruments: Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Helium ion microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy. These labs will replace a lecture in the week they are scheduled.

The main written material for the course will be lecture notes. Books will be recommended within each lectures.

Examination will be done on : 1) short homeworks, 2) lab reports, 3) a mid-term exam, 4) a term paper and a presentation on a surface-related subjects.

Course coordinator: Sylvie Rangan

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