A combination of pulsed molecular beam, surface infrared spectroscopy, and surface optoacoustic spectroscopy will be used to investigate the kinetics of fundatmental chemical reactions on surfaces. Adsorbate diffusion, island formation, trapping-desorption processes at deffect lattice sites, and bimolecular surface combination reactions will be amongst the processes to be investigated. Systems to be studied include carbon monoxide and nitric oxide and some large molecular systems. A range of single crystal substrates will be used in the study, including periodically-stepped surfaces. The investigation will enable the mechanism for these important surface processes to be better understood. %%% This five year continuing grant to the University of Maryland at College Park for support of Professor Reutt-Robey as a Presidential Young Investigator is designed to promote her rapid and effective growth as an independent researcher in the area of fundamental kinetic processes on the gas-solid interface. The research, in the general area of Analytical and Surface Chemistry, promises to provide a better understanding of surface processes which will be important for applications such as catalysis.
