This is a re-post of an article published by Hiden Analytical of Warrington, England.
In materials science, a surface interface refers to the boundary region between air or a vacuum and physical media. The atomic composition and topography of a solid’s surface monolayer can determine many of the chemical-mechanical characteristics of the bulk material, including solid—gas interfaces such as adsorption and permeation. Reaction kinetics of catalysts and the electromechanical performance of semiconducting materials for thin film fabrication are both affected by surface interface phenomena.
Modern surface engineers consider surface interface analysis a critical stage of development and process control. This article will explore how surface interface analysis is performed in more detail, while highlighting some of its critical applications: