Spectroscopy with Atoms and Ions

Abstract

Scattering of atoms and ions from solid surfaces is a good example for the development of an excentric experiment into a very useful and important technique for material analysis. These types of experiments are the youngest in the family of spectroscopy with particles. Also, the masses of the particles used as a probe are up to two orders of magnitude larger than those for the heavy particles discussed so far. Since the penetration of the atoms and ions into the solid material is very small very thin films or surfaces can be investigated. Hence the booming activities in surface science has naturally contributed to the development and to applications of this analytical technique.