Dynamics of molecule—surface interaction is a new interdisciplinary field positioned in the realm between physics and chemistry. Thus it is possible to take the chemist's or the physicist's point of view. This text primarily sides with the chemist, emphasizing the molecular dynamical perspective, rather than a kinetic, macroscopic approach to surface interactions in many-body systems. The treatment is well-referenced and rigorous.

From the Preface: “...The content of the book has been used in courses at the graduate as well as the undergraduate level for physics students interested in chemistry and vice versa. Parts of the book are rather elementary and other parts more advanced. A number of exercises have been added to the text. This is done in order for the student to get a better feeling for the various proofs and approximations which have been omitted in the text. The answer section gives a fairly complete solution of these exercises...”

Target Audience: Primarily students of surface and colloid chemistry, materials science, atomic and molecular physics, and similar disciplines; also professional researchers and technologists concerned with these fields.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Basic Concepts

Surface Diffusion

Interaction Potentials

Quantum Treatment of Atom/Molecule-Surface Scattering

Classical Mechanical Treatment

The Generalized Langevin Equation

A Semiclassical Approach

Electron Gas Theories

Density Functional Theory

Electron-Hole Pair Excitation

Perspective

Appendices

Bibliography

Answers to Exercises

Index