Cluster Beam Synthesis of Nanostructured Materials

This book supplies a systematic description of the preparation, characterization, and manipulation of cluster beams for the synthesis of nanocrystalline materials. It addresses all issues relevant to the realization of nanophase structures, providing an excellent introduction for scientists working in different fields. Particular emphasis is placed on using the technique for nanostructured materials and on explaining the role of cluster beams within the context of other experimental techniques in surface-science. The book describes the synthesis of nanostructured materials by cluster beam deposition. The preparation and characterization of clusters in molecular beams is described in detail providing both the background and the know-how needed to exploit all the capabilities of this technique in the synthesis of new materials. Its implementation with surface science diagnostic tools will be analyzed and discussed, together with the cluster-surface interaction and cluster coalescence phenomena. The different aspects of characterization of nanocrystalline materials from cluster precursors will be presented and discussed. A discussion of the integration of cluster beam methods with other production techniques and an evaluation of its technological revelance complete the book.