Abstract

Exploiting inelastic particle-surface interactions offers a powerful route to tailor material properties with precision, opening new opportunities across nanotechnology, catalysis, and quantum materials science. While particle beams are well-established methods for compositional analysis and imaging, impinging ions or electrons can also drive structural and compositional changes inaccessible to conventional processing, such as nanoscale perforation, implantation, or surface patterning. Inelastic surface interactions which drive electronic excitations enable modifications such as perforation in two dimensional membranes, define the ion implantation on the atomic scale in surfaces, and facilitate tailoring of optical or electronic devices. Unlocking the full potential of particle-induced material modifications requires detailed understanding of the complex electronic energy transfer between ions, electrons, and surfaces. The following defect dynamics can be understood through predictive ab-initio modelling, advanced microscopy of the defects and their migration, or in situ spectroscopy of surfaces and scattered particles. By combining fundamental studies with application-driven research this mini-symposium will showcase current experimental and theoretical research on particle-surface interactions and provide a platform for cross-disciplinary exchange among theoreticians and experimentalists to discuss a roadmap for controlled material modifications exploiting complex inelastic interactions and electronic surface excitations.

Invited speakers

to be announced

Organizers