The importance of understanding surface phenomena stems from the fact that in many physical and chemical processes the surface plays a key role.

A detailed knowledge of surfaces and interfaces is essential for such important modern applications as heterogeneous catalysis, molecular epitaxy and ion doping. Surface analysis also makes it possible to study interphase processes in the cells of organisms, porous organic and inorganic substances, and the phenomena of corrosion and electrochemistry in metals.

Surface analysis provides information about the elemental, phase and molecular composition, the arrangement of atoms on the surface and the bonds between them.

Nowadays, a number of research methods are used to study the surface, its morphology and properties: