Atomic-Scale Dynamics at Surfaces
Theory and Experimental Studies with Helium Atom Scattering
by G. Benedek and J.P. Toennies
ISBN: 978-3-662-56441-7 Edition: Springer
ISBN (e-book): 978-3-662-56443-1
Otto Stern 1929 helium-atom scattering (HAS) experiments from a crystal surface filled two needs with one deed: proving the quantum particle-wave duality for atoms, as well as the ordered structure of crystal surfaces. The development of supersonic monocromatic beams of He atoms, with an energy spread no larger than 1%, although motivated by other needs in aero- and astronautics, endowed experimentalists with a new tool to investigate the dynamics of solid surfaces on the atomic scale. HAS, besides providing the surface structure from diffraction, was demonstrated to provide, through inelastic scattering, a high-resolution spectroscopy of low-energy elementary excitations of the surface, allowing for the determination of their dispersion curves: more and more needs can nowadays be fulfilled than envisaged by Stern! The book presents the experimental and theoretical fundamentals of HAS spectroscopy up to the most recent achievements.