An experimental study of homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation was conducted, using molecular beam techniques: mass spectrometry and time-of-flight velocity spectrometry, with and without mass filtering. Both the clustered beam itself and the scattering of the clusters from surfaces were studied. The beam was found to consist of a broad spectrum of clusters all having approximately the same velocity distribution. Small clusters were found to have a binding energy much less than that of bulk ice. Measurements of a beam scattered from a surface using a time-of-flight velocity spectrometer show four distinct patterns. These are: (1) a diffuse scattering channel (monomers, Maxwellian/cosine at the target temperature), (2) a direct inelastic channel for monomers characterized by a small loss of incident velocity with a broad spatial distribution peaked at the tangent for all incident angles, theta sub i, (3) a well-defined specular directed lobe (theta sub s = theta sub i greater than 50 deg) with particle velocity much slower than (1) or (2) and a velocity distribution narrower than a stationary Maxwellian, and (4) another slow peak with a slightly broader velocity distribution into a sharp intensity peak near the tangent for all theta sub i greater than 50 deg. The amplitude of the specularly directed slow peak (3) appears to give a sensitive indication of surface coverage. (Author).

In this work, molecule-surface scattering is studied for the diatomic molecule nitric oxide (NO) and the polyatomic molecule formaldehyde. Following the approach of "molecular surface science", elementary steps in the interaction of molecules with surfaces are revealed using a molecular beam surface scattering apparatus which permits the examination of the collision process under well-defined conditions. This requires that the initial molecular degrees of freedom are well controlled and that the final distribution over the molecular degrees of freedom can be obtained resolving single quantu...

This graduate-level textbook covers the major developments in surface sciences of recent decades, from experimental tricks and basic techniques to the latest experimental methods and theoretical understanding. It is unique in its attempt to treat the physics of surfaces, thin films and interfaces, surface chemistry, thermodynamics, statistical physics and the physics of the solid/electrolyte interface in an integral manner, rather than in separate compartments. It is designed as a handbook for the researcher as well as a study-text for graduate students. Written explanations are supported by 350 graphs and illustrations.

A summary is given of work involving the design and construction of apparatus for an experiment with two molecular beams, and the construction of a metal ultra-high vacuum system.