The materials used are obtained from a variety of sources world wide. The magnetism research group encourages collaborative efforts with other institutions. The group practices daily contact with graduate students engaged in their research and involves them in all aspects of these collaborative research efforts. Student initiative in research is strongly encouraged. Surface physics Prof.
Surface physics concerns itself with the physical and chemical properties of solid surfaces.
Our group is investigating the interactions of atoms and small molecules with well-characterized metal surfaces, in an effort to understand both how the molecules are affected by the surface and how the surface is affected by the molecules. Our specialty is infrared spectroscopy, in which the properties of the surface are probed by the reflectance of infrared radiation. By localizing some electrons and providing scattering centers for others, adsorbed gases can have a significant effect on the electrical resistance and optical reflectance of thin metal films. These effects are relevant to gas sensing and may play an important role in the microscopic origins of friction. Other active areas, in collaboration with scientists at General Motors and Rutgers University, include the surface chemistry of electrochemical gas sensors and the effect of quantum size effects on adsorbate bonding to ultrathin metal films.