Topic outline

  • General

    • Contents

      This course will discuss the basic concepts of surface physics, including electronic and structural properties of surfaces and the typical experimental techniques used to study them. We will place a special emphasis on experimental techniques capable of yielding atomic scale information of surfaces (focussing on scanning probe microscopies). In addition to the usual concepts related to surface electronic structure (reconstructions, work function, electronic surface states), we will also overview some cutting edge topics in condensed-matter physics involving surfaces (two-dimensional materials, topological surface states). Applications in surface processes, including catalysis and thin-film growth will also be discussed.

      Study material

      P. Hofmann, Surface Physics: An Introduction, ebook, ISBN 978-87-996090-1-7 (https://philiphofmann.net/surface-physics-book/).

      Assessment Methods and Criteria

      Wikipedia page project and an exam