p. 1575. Ultrathin films and interfaces
- Elaine M. McCashElaine M. McCashUniversity of York and Sentec Ltd.
Abstract
This chapter assesses ultrathin films and the interfaces between two different materials. In this case, the adsorbate–adsorbate interactions are often just as or even more important than the substrate–adsorbate interactions. The driving force behind work in this area is the application of surface science in the microelectronics industry. In recent years, it has been found that if a complete layer of one material is grown on another, the competition between adsorbate–adsorbate interaction and substrate–adsorbate interaction leads to some very interesting properties for the overlayer film that are quite different to those observed for the bulk material. These different properties can be electronic, structural, chemical, and/or magnetic and may be significant in terms of catalysis.
