Experimental Techniques for Surface Structure Determination

Structural information has also been obtained by matching the observed frequencies of surface vibrational and electronic excitations with spectra calculated from structural models (see part 4). This approach has been applied 

Most surface structural studies combine results from several different surface science techniques applied to the same system. For an approach based on model calculations to be successful, it is necessary to construct reasonable structural models of surfaces. The application of techniques which cannot give explicit information on the arrangement of atoms in the near-surface region is often necessary to develop good surface structural models. 

A wide range of techniques have been developed to study surfaces in vacuum, and many techniques are commonly referred to by acronyms. Table I lists acronyms and brief descriptions of most common techniques used in surface science. 

Diffraction ergy neutral atoms are elasticly scattered off of ordered surfaces and detected as a function of scattering angle. This gives structural information on the outermost layer of the surface. Atom diffraction is extremely sensitive to surface ordering and defects. 

AEAPS Auger Electron Appearance Potential Spectroscopy The EAPFS cross-section is monitored by Auger electron intensity. Also known as APAES. 

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