Imaging of dynamic patterns on surfaces

Techniques based on photoemission electron microscopy currently have the potential to achieve a lateral resolution of ∼20 nm and are aiming towards a lower nanometre resolution. Several optical methods with known surface sensitivity have been transformed into microscopes, which have the advantage of being independent of the ambient pressure. As a result, pattern formation during catalytic reactions is currently being studied from ultrahigh vacuum pressure conditions up to atmospheric pressure. The formation of subsurface oxygen seems to play a key role in various reactions. The studies of reactions on microstructured surfaces, especially with catalytic active boundaries, are promising steps toward selective microcomposite catalysts.