FYS-2106 Introduction to Surface Science, 6 cr
Additional information
Suitable for postgraduate studies.
Person responsible
Mika Valden
Lessons
| Implementation | Period | Person responsible | Requirements |
| FYS-2106 2017-01 | 2 |
Mika Valden |
Accepted learning assignments. |
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course, the student will be able to recognize the main physicochemical surface properties and to combine them with surface mediated processes such as adsorption and formation of surface compounds. The student will learn how to apply the surface properties to surface engineering technologies (e.g. heterogeneous catalysis, the growth of thin films, nanotechnology, biomaterials). After completing the course, the student will be able to evaluate how the surface mediated processes can be utilized to develop novel, technologically relevant material properties. During the course, the student will learn to solve interdisciplinary research problems related to surface science in tutorial learning sessions (groups of 4-6 students) based on the shared expertise of the group members. The student will master the skills required to report the results of the learning assignments using Moodle learning management system as well as in the forms of a research report and a seminar presentation.
Content
| Content | Core content | Complementary knowledge | Specialist knowledge |
| 1. | The geometric structure of surfaces: Ordered surface structures. Defects on surfaces. Notation of surface structures. Relaxation. Reconstruction. | Low energy electron diffraction. Adsorbate-Induced restructuring. | Growth modes on surfaces. |
| 2. | Thermodynamics of surfaces: Surface tension. Surface free energy. Segregation in binary alloy system. Heat of adsorption. | Surface tension values of metals approximated by using the heat of sublimation. The mixing energy. Adsorbate-induced segregation in alloys. | Adsorption Microcalorimetry. |
| 3. | Dynamics at surfaces: Potential energy hypersurface. Elementary surface processes. Adsorption. Sticking coefficient. Kinetics and dynamics of adsorption. Precursor-state mediated adsorption. Microscopic reversibility. | Structure sensitivity of adsorption. | Molecular Beam Surface Scattering. Activated adsorption. Steering dynamics in adsorption. |
| 4. | Electronic properties of surfaces: Surface dipole. Debye length. Work function. Work function and surface structure. Nanostructures. Helmholtz equation. Surface Stark-effect. Alkali-metal adsorption. Local work function. | Friedel oscillations. Surface space charge at n-type semiconductor. Work function versus ionization potential. Metal-vacuum-metal tunneling junction. | Gas sensors. Electronic structure of nanoclusters. PAX-method. |
| 5. | Surface compounds: Chemisorption bond and physisorption bond. Resonance states. Chemisorption on Jellium surface. Chemisorption on transition metal surfaces. Cluster-like bonding of adsorbates. Chemisorption bond of CO. The flexible surface model. Thermal activation of surface compounds. | Structure sensitivity of bond breaking. Kinetic oscillations. Ostwald Ripening. | Rich oxygen chemistry of ruthenium (0001). |
| 6. | Catalysis by surfaces: Turnover rate and activation energy. Selectivity. Catalyst deactivation. Structure sensitivity. Ammonia synthesis. | Dispersion. Additives. Promoottorit. Catalyst materials. Material gap and pressure gap. | Compensation effect. |
Instructions for students on how to achieve the learning outcomes
The assessment of the course is either numeric on the grade scale of 0 ... 5 or "Pass/Fail". The assessment method will be decided together with the students at the beginning of the course. The numeric assessment is based on a literature exam. If the student demonstrates thorough understanding of the core content, s/he may pass the course with the grade 3. In order to achieve grade 4, the student must also demonstrate competency in the points specified in column "Complementary knowledge". The student may achieve grade 5, if s/he demonstrates good command of the points specified in column "Specialist knowledge". If there are minor shortcomings regarding the core content, the student may receive the grade 1 or 2, depending on the number of flaws. If there are significant shortcomings regarding core content, the student will not pass the course. The assessment of the course can also be "Pass/Fail". The student can earn the passing grade, if s/he has completed all the learning assignments in a satisfactory manner.
Assessment scale:
Numerical evaluation scale (0-5)
Partial passing:
Study material
| Type | Name | Author | ISBN | URL | Additional information | Examination material |
| Other online content | Mika Valden | Yes | ||||
| Online book | Surface Science: Foundations of Catalysis and Nanoscience | Kolasinski, K.W. | 0-471-49245 0 | John Wiley & Sons, 1. edition, 2002 | Yes |
Correspondence of content
| Course | Corresponds course | Description |
| FYS-2106 Introduction to Surface Science, 6 cr | FYS-2100 Introduction to Surface Science, 6 cr | |
| FYS-2106 Introduction to Surface Science, 6 cr | FYS-2107 Introduction to Surface Science, 5 cr | |
| FYS-2106 Introduction to Surface Science, 6 cr | FYS-2106 Introduction to Surface Science, 6 cr |