Laser Applications in Surface Science and Technology

Lasers are becoming increasingly important in surface science, both for the diagnostic evaluation and the processing of surfaces, for example, higher harmonic generation for diagnosis and the widespread use of laser surface microstructuring and annealing for processing. The physics behind such applications might be described in some cases by simple heating and melting processes, but can also include much more complex phenomena such as plasma generation or elementary collective surface excitations. Laser Applications in Surface Science and Technology provides an overview of the different techniques, discusses the principles behind them and gives a concise description of laser-induced and laser-detected processes on surfaces. Recent developments in the field such as nonlinear surface spectroscopies and the interactions of ultrashort pulses with materials, are also introduced. Invaluable reading for postgraduate students and research scientists across a wide range of disciplines including: physics, chemistry, electronic engineering and materials science.