About Us

The Surface and Mössbauer laboratory (SURFMOSS) is devoted to research on thin-films, surfaces, and nanostructures. Our job is at the crossroads of chemistry, physics and materials science, so you might call it multidisciplinary.  

2012-11-15 17.49.13

Our scientific activity focuses primarily on the study and characterization of surface processes of very different nature through the use of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques in ultrahigh vacuum (including nanospectroscopic techniques based on synchrotron radiation). Lately, we are working on the study of the growth dynamics of thin films of metals and oxides on different substrates and the study of surface and interfacial magnetism. Another research line is the chemical, structural and magnetic characterization of transition metal oxides with different structures (spinel, perovskite...) and with potential applications in the field of energy conversion and storage.

To such end we employ a variety of experimental approaches. We have in-group growth capabilities, from a molecular beam epitaxy system to a sputtering system, and we are also work in collaboration with the PLD group at our institute. Thin films composition and chemical state are determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and when possible by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Finally, we observe both surfaces and nanostructures by microscopy techniques, mostly low energy electron microscopy, given that that microscope allows you to observe the growth front in real time, and that we have one of the two microscopes of this kind in SpainYou can find some of the history of the lab here.