The study of surfaces is of both fundamental and technological interest. A fuller understanding of the fundamental science involved in surface reconstructions and growth mechanisms can lead to technological advantages and new techniques. As well as the basic properties of surfaces the Surface Physics Group further studies the precise atomic arrangement of surface and near surface structures to give an even deeper insight into their properties. This is also important to allow theoretical models to be tested against real world systems.
Recently the electron stimulated desorption of chlorine form InP(110) and GaAs(110) has been studied. Also structural determinations have been made of various two dimensional rare earth silicides and germanides, and investigations of iron silicide and further, more novel, rare earth silicides are underway. See the publications section for references.
