Ion/Atom/Electron Surface Dynamics Using Experimental Coincidence-Correlation Techniques and Theoretical Analysis

University Of Houston, Houston TX

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract CHE-0608851 Rabalais/Houston Professor Rabalais at the University of Houston, in collaboration with Professor Bahrim at Lamar University, is developing ion surface scattering analytical methods for the detailed structural and compositional analysis of surfaces. With the support of the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, this team is developing experimental and computational methods focused on ion-electron coincidence and correlation in ion scattering spectrometry. Electron wave packet propagation analysis, combined with detailed coincidence spectra, is used to develop a charge transfer microscopy for the analysis of surfaces. The broader impact of this work lies in the fact that these methods are useful in the semiconductor process industry as well as broadly in the analysis of technological surfaces in catalysis and corrosion applications. Rabalais and coworkers are using electron-ion coincidence spectroscopy, coupled with detailed theoretical analysis, to develop methods for the structural and compositional analysis of surfaces. This unique approach provides a new level of detail about the ion-surface scattering process, and enables a new level of structural and compositional information to be obtained. This fundamental mechanistic information about ion-surface scattering finds application in a number of industrial settings, ranging from semiconductor processing to heterogeneous catalysis.