Scattering of molecular beams from surfaces

Molecular beam scattering from surfaces offers a unique method for studying elementary gas-solid collisions. Recent technological advances have made it possible to study elastic and inelastic scattering from clean surfaces characterized by LEED and Auger spectroscopy. These experiments have provided information on surface structures, with and without adsorbed gases, on the gas-surface interaction potential, and on inelastic collisions involving phonon annihilation and creation. These recent measurements are reviewed and discussed in terms of the latest theoretical work.