Surface Modes in Physics

Bo E. Sernelius, "Surface Modes in Physics"

Wiley-VCH; 1st ed edition (July 11, 2001) | ISBN: 3527403132 | 350 pages | Djvu | 2,5 Mb

Review

"This entertaining and, at the same time, rigorous electrodynamic approach to surface physics makes the reader more conscious of the surrounding reality." ChemPhysChem

"...highly enjoyable, illustrative, and rigorous work which shows how surface modes in different systems surround us and mediate many of our daily actions." Chem PhysChem

Book Description

Electromagnetic surface modes are present at all surfaces and interfaces between material of different dielectric properties. These modes have very important effects on numerous physical quantities: adhesion, capillary force, step formation and crystal growth, the Casimir effect etc. They cause surface tension and wetting and they give rise to forces which are important e.g. for the stability of colloids.

This book is a useful and elegant approach to the topic, showing how the concept of electromagnetic modes can be developed as a unifying theme for a range of condensed matter physics. The author concentrates in finding out the basic origin of the force and how they are developed from the collective excitations of the solids. Different materials are treated, e.g. metals, semiconductors, plasmas, liquids and gases all with different collective modes. In close relation to the theoretical background, the reader is served with a broad field of applications. The book serves readers who are concerned with applications to real world problems with a deep knowledge on surface modes, and inspires new developments of the field.