Surface Science - Part 1: How it all began, from an experimental perspective

This overview, authored by Prof. Bengt Kasemo, traces the origins and evolution of surface science, focusing on the interplay between surface physics and surface chemistry. It highlights how the field expanded from studying idealized, static surfaces in ultra-high vacuum to addressing complex, dynamic systems and real-world applications. The overview also discusses the technological and theoretical advances that enabled the field’s growth, and how these developments paved the way for new areas such as biotechnology and nanotechnology.