Electron dynamics at surfaces

The physics of electron dynamics at surfaces and interfaces encompasses a rich variety of processes ranging from electron scattering and diffusion to electron-hole recombination and surface state and defect trapping. This review includes an overview of many of these important interactions and a detailed discussion of the experimental approaches used to study them. Particular attention is given to the surface-sensitive technique of angle-resolved photoemission carried out with nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond laser sources which have revealed new insights into the modes of dynamical electronic properties at surfaces. A range of experiments carried out on semiconductor and metal surfaces will be described.