Surface Modes in Physics

Electromagnetic surface modes are present at all surfaces and interfaces between material of different dielectric properties. These modes have very important effects on numerous physical quantities: adhesion, capillary force, step formation and crystal growth, the Casimir effect etc. They cause surface tension and wetting and they give rise to forces which are important e.g. for the stability of colloids. This book is a useful and elegant approach to the topic, showing how the concept of electromagnetic modes can be developed as a unifying theme for a range of condensed matter physics. The author concentrates in finding out the basic origin of the force and how they are developed from the collective excitations of the solids. Different materials are treated, e.g. metals, semiconductors, plasmas, liquids and gases all with different collective modes. In close relation to the theoretical background, the reader is served with a broad field of applications. The book serves readers who are concerned with applications to real-world problems with a deep knowledge on surface modes, and inspires new developments of the field.

Table of Contents:
Introduction. Bulk Modes. Model Dielectric Functions. Zero--Point Energy of Modes. Modes at Flat Interfaces. Forces. Energy and Force. Modes at Non--Planar Interfaces. Different Mode Types. Colloids. Appendix 1. Conversion Table from CGS to SI Units. Appendix 2. Fourier--Transform Conventions. Index.

About the Author :
Bo E. Sernelius, Professor in Theoretical Physics. Dept. of Physics and Measurement Technology. Linkoping University, Sweden. Background: Theoretical solid state physics. Expert in many--body physics. 1948 born in Sweden 1973 Degree in Civil Engineering 1978 PhD in Theoretical Physics 1985--1987 Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA in the group of Prof. G.D. Mahan Research Field: Many--Body Theory and in particular Theoretical Semiconductor Physics; Optical Properties, Transport Properties, Quantum Structures, Heterostructures; Collective Modes, Surface Modes, Van der Waals and Casimir Forces, Surface Energies, Wetting, Colloidal Physics, catalytic Effects, Bioloical Physics More than 100 scientific publications Member of the Swedish, European and Americanl Physical Societies

Review :
.,."highly enjoyable, illustrative, and rigorous work which shows how surface modes in different systems surround us and mediate many of our daily actions." Chem PhysChem "This entertaining and, at the same time, rigorous electrodynamic approach to surface physics makes the reader more conscious of the surrounding reality." ChemPhysChem .,."highly enjoyable, illustrative, and rigorous work which shows how surface modes in different systems surround us and mediate many of our daily actions." Chem PhysChem