The structure, growth behaviors, and properties of selected metal surfaces, interfaces, quantum wells, and superlattices are being investigated. The purpose is to obtain a fundamental understanding of the scientific principles that govern the crystalline form, chemical composition, and electronic properties of metal epitaxial systems and quantum structures. The experimental techniques include angle-resolved synchrotron photoemission, Auger spectroscopy, electron diffraction, and scanning tunneling microscopy. The work will include investigations of (1) the bulk and surface band structure, coherence and scattering lengths, and spatial distributions of electronic states, (2) the physics and chemistry of film growth, (3) the structure-property relationships for various quantum configurations, (4) Kondo effects in two dimensional surface alloys, and (5) spin effects in systems containing magnetic materials. %%% Artificial structures made of stacks of thin layers can exhibit interesting and potentially useful electronic properties. Using state-of-the-art techniques of materials synthesis, it is now possible to fabricate layer configurations with atomic layer precision. Electrons in such systems can become trapped, reflected, or refracted by the boundaries between layers, resulting in new properties, which offer opportunities for various electronic applications. This research project will employ a variety of experimental techniques to investigate the basic physics and chemistry of atomic layer formation, and to determine the relationships between the atomic structure and the electronic properties. Part of the work will be carried out at the Synchrotron Radiation Center, a national facility funded by the National Science Foundation. ***
