With the development in the 1960s of ultrahigh vacuum equipment and
techniques and electron, X-ray, and ion beam techniques to determine the
structure and composition of interfaces, activities in the field of
surface science grew nearly exponentially. Today surface science impacts
all major fields of study from physical to biological sciences, from
physics to chemistry, and all engineering disciplines. The materials and
phenomena characterized by surface science range from se- conductors,
where the impact of surface science has been critical to progress, to
metals and ceramics, where selected contributions have been important,
to bio- terials, where contributions are just beginning to impact the
field, to textiles, where the impact has been marginal. With such a
range of fields and applications, questions about sample selection,
preparation, treatment, and handling are difficult to cover completely
in one review article or one chapter. Therefore, the editors of this
book have assembled a range of experts with experience in the major
fields impacted by surface characterization. It is the only book which
treats the subject of sample handling, preparation, and treatment for
surface characterization. It is full of tricks, cautions, and handy tips
to make the laboratory scientist's life easier. With respect to
organization of the book, the topics range from discussion of vacuum to
discussion of biological, organic, elemental or compound samples, to
samples prepared ex situ or in situ to the vacuum, to deposition ofthin
films. Generic considerations of sample preparation are also given.
