Surface electronic structure

Abstract

The theory of the electronic structure of clean metal and semiconductor surfaces is reviewed, starting from an effective one-electron Schrodinger equation. Methods for solving the Schrodinger equation at surfaces are briefly described, and the effects of the surface on the electronic wavefunctions are discussed using simple models. The results of detailed calculations of the surface electronic structure of s-p bonded metals, transition metals and semiconductors are reviewed, with an emphasis on the effect of the local environment on the density of states. Properties like the work function and surface energy depend on the surface electronic structure, and their variation with material and surface is discussed; the surface energy contains an important contribution from the interaction between electrons, and this will be considered in some detail. The change in electronic structure compared with the bulk leads to changes in atomic structure, with surface reconstruction on semiconductor and some metal surfaces, and this is also discussed. The interplay between theory and experiment is very important in surface studies, and the theoretical surface energy bands reviewed compare well with experimental photoemission results; this comparison has proved particularly useful for understanding surface reconstructions.