We are using the quantum mechanical theories of positron and electron scattering to investigate the geometrical arrangement of atoms at clean surfaces of solids and at surfaces with layers of foreign atoms.
Structural information is the first piece of data needed to understand surface phenomena.
Another major area of study is to determine the form of the electron and positron surface barrier potentials experienced by an electron or positron entering or leaving a metal using low energy scattering techniques. The complete understanding of surface phenomena at the atomic level requires a detailed knowledge of the energy states of the electrons in the potential at the surface. We have developed a technique to calculate the band structure of surface electron states and resonances which are localised beyond the first atomic layer of metal surfaces. These results can be compared with experimental photoemission and inverse photoemission data and this provides another method for determining surface properties. Selected Publications Realistic calculation of image surface states and resonances for comparison with experiment.