260046 VU Surface Science (2022S)

The course aims to introduce Master and PhD Students to fundamental aspects of Surface Science. PhD Students working in the Surface Science field are encouraged to attend the course, in order to complement their experimental/theoretical experience on the subject.

The topics range from the theoretical study of surface crystallography and facets of mono-atomic and oxide compounds, up to polarity instabilities, structural reconstructions and chemical activity. The theoretical description of these topics is accompanied by the review of established and modern experimental techniques (such as scanning probe microscopy, spectroscopy, electron diffraction) and computational methods (mostly density functional theory and machine learning).

Lectures will be given in physical presence: the course will switch to a full digital form if required by future regulations (not to an hybrid teaching).
Exercises will be assigned to students during the course. Active attendance is warmly recommended in order to facilitate discussions on theoretical aspects and comments on the exercises.

Basic knowledge on Solid State Physics and Condensed Matter are recommended before registration, but not necessary: basic concepts (e.g, density of states, free energy, atomic bonds) will be briefly clarified during lectures upon request from students.