Galvanomagnetic size studies of metallic surface processes

Abstract

This review gives an account of basic ideas concerning scattering of current carriers at metallic surfaces. It deals with the physical picture and theory of surface-sensitive galvanomagnetic size effects, i.e., transverse magnetic resistance, static skin effect, Sondheimer oscillations, and conduction electron focusing. These processes are employed to study the peculiarities of current carrier surface scattering with regard to the electron-hole transfers. Diffraction of conduction electrons at adsorbed submonolayer lattices is considered. An outlook is given of the application of these phenomena to the study of adsorption and ordering of adsorbed submonolayer films of various symmetries and chemical content, involving, in particular, precursor states. Influence of the diffusion of adsorbed atoms into the substrate on the kinetic size effects is considered in detail. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.