Surface physics

Surfaces play a crucial role in a variety of phenomena. This is especially true with modern nano-sized materials, where surface atoms are a large percentage of the total.
The main objectives are therefore:
To analyze properties of a surfaces and their correlation with structure, chemistry and physics.
Know methods for characterising surfaces and what information these such methods provides.
Know current methods for modifying surfaces.

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Basic of two dimensional crystallography.

Experimental background (ultra-high vacuum, preparation of clean surfaces, UHV deposition technology).

Diffraction methods for surface analysis (LEED and RHEED).

Electron spectroscopy methods for surface analysis (Auger Electron spectroscopy, Photoelectron spectroscopy).

Microscopy techniques for surface analysis (Transition Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy).

Atomic Structure of Clean Surfaces (relaxation and reconstruction).

Atomic structure of Surfaces with Adsorbates. Structural defects at surfaces.
Electronic structure of surfaces. Adsorption and desorption.
Growth of thin films.

Atomic manipulation and nanostructure formation.

After completing the course, the student will able to:
Understand the structure and properties of surfaces and how they differ from the properties of bulk materials.
Understand, predict and design surface properties based on surface structure
Understand the physical and chemical basis behind surface phenomena.
Suggest common characterization techniques for the determinining surface structure.

• K. Oura, V. G. Lifshits, A. A. Saranin, A.V. Zotov and M. Katayama Surface Science An introduction, Springer (2003). E-version
• Hans Lüth, Solid Surfaces, Interfaces and Thin Film, Springer (2010).

Oral exam

Prof. dr. Sandra Gardonio je izredna profesorica za področje fizike na Univerzi v Novi Gorici. Dr. Sandra Gardonio is associate professor of physics at the University of Nova Gorica.

Izbrane objave / selected references:
1. GARDONIO, Sandra, BENHER, Zipporah Rini, FANETTI, Mattia, MORAS, Paolo, SHEVERDYAEVA, Polina M., VALANT, Matjaž. Single crystal synthesis and surface electronic structure of Bi1.993Cr0.007Se3. Journal of materials chemistry. C, Materials for optical and electronic devices. [Online ed.]. 2024, vol. 12, issue 34, str. 13236-13241, ilustr. ISSN 2050-7534. DOI: 10.1039/D4TC01967A.
[COBISS.SI-ID 204816131]

1. XING, Zhe, FANETTI, Mattia, GARDONIO, Sandra, SCHRÖDER, Elsebeth, ORLOV, Dmytro. Initial oxidation of low index Mg surfaces investigated by SCLS and DFT. Applied Surface Science. [Print ed.]. 2024, vol. 671, article no. 160656, str. 1-13, ilustr. ISSN 0169-4332. DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.160656.
   [COBISS.SI-ID 202736899].

2. VALANT, Matjaž, GARDONIO, Sandra, ESTANDIA, Saul, FANETTI, Mattia, MATETSKIY, Andrey
   Vladimirovich, SHEVERDYAEVA, Polina M., MORAS, Paolo, TILELI, Vasiliki. Chemical interactions at the interface of Au on Bi2Se3 topological insulator. Journal of physical chemistry. C. 2024, vol. 128, issue 38, str. 16154-16160, ilustr. ISSN 1932-7455. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c04241. [COBISS.SI-ID 209707267],

3. BENHER, Zipporah Rini, GARDONIO, Sandra, FANETTI, Mattia, MORAS, Paolo, KUNDU, Asish K., BIGI, Chiara, VALANT, Matjaž. Electronic properties of phases in the quasi-binary Bi2Se3−Bi2S3 system. Journal of materials chemistry. C, Materials for optical and electronic devices. [Print ed.]. 2021, vol. 9, no. 9, str. 3058-3064, ilustr. ISSN 2050-7526. DOI: 10.1039/D0TC05121G. [COBISS.SI-ID 57602051].

4. SHEVERDYAEVA, P. M., OFFI, F., GARDONIO, Sandra, NOVINEC, Luka, TRIONI, M. I., CERESOLI, D., IACOBUCCI, S., RUOCCO, A., STEFANI, Giovanni, PETACCIA, L., et al.
   Topological properties and self-energy effects in elemental Yb. Physical review. B. Nov. 2021, vol. 104, iss. 19, str. 195138-1-195138-6, ilustr. ISSN 2469-9950. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.104.195138.
   [COBISS.SI-ID 87698947].