Introduction to Surface and Thin Film Processes (Paperback)

by John A. Venables (Author) "In this opening chapter, section 1.1 introduces some of the thermodynamic ideas which are used to discuss small systems..." (more)
Key Phrases: Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, John Wiley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"This volume provides extensive leads into pratical and research literature, as well as links to resources in the World Wide Web. Each chapter contains problems that will help develop awareness of the subject and the methods used. An ideal graduate textbook, this book will also be useful as a sourcebook for graduate students, researchers and practitioners in physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering. Photonics Online

"An ideal graduate textbook." /s Photonics Online

Product Description
Surface and thin film processes are crucial in understanding current and future electronic, magnetic, optical and chemical devices. This book covers the experimental and theoretical understanding of surface and thin film processes. It presents a unique description of surface processes in adsorption and crystal growth, including bonding in metals and semiconductors. Venables, an international expert on the subject, covers practical experimental design, sample preparation, and analytical techniques, including detailed discussions of Auger electron spectroscopy and microscopy. Throughout, he emphasizes thermodynamic and kinetic models of structure. This volume provides extensive leads into practical and research literature, as well as links to resources on the World Wide Web. Each chapter contains problems that will help develop awareness of the subject and the methods used. An ideal graduate textbook, this book will also be useful as a sourcebook for graduate students, researchers and practitioners in physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (August 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521785006
• ISBN-13: 978-0521785006
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,032,498 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Scant physical explanation., April 19, 2001

By	Aaron Fleet "af54" (Cornell University) - See all my reviews

Venables' text fairly thoroughly covers modern surface science techniques. He summarizes thirty years of fundamental research and hits on modern interest areas. However, for a text labeled as an introduction, very few introductory ideas are adequately explained. Where are the energy level diagrams? Energies associated with various processes are arbitrarily assigned to be positive or negative, and reference energies are never mentioned. Attempts to solve chapter ending problems invariably lead to frustration, as the questions are vague, and the suggested results are impossible to obtain without consulting other, more detailed texts like Dejenqueres and Spanjaard. The sections on crystal growth are impenetrable unless one reads the referenced papers, but this is inexcusable for an introductory text. A more suitable title for the book would be: "A Survey of Surface Science," or "Collected Citations of Surface Science Research: 1970-2000"