Described as “a conceptual overview of surface and thin film science,” Christensen’s book provides a basic and straightforward understanding of the most common ideas and methods used in these fields. Topics include vacuum and plasma environments, crystal structure, atomic motion, thermodynamics, electrical and magnetic properties, optical and thermal properties, and adsorbed atoms on surfaces.
“Understanding Surface and Thin Film Science” was published by Routledge in 2022.
To share more, Christensen answered six questions about his book below.
1. If you were describing your book to someone outside of your field, what would you say?
As technical devices get smaller and smaller, the behavior of very thin materials becomes increasingly important. These thin materials have different electronic, magnetic, and physical properties when compared to bulk materials. These new properties are often dominated by how the material behaves near its surface. This book explores these concepts.
2. How did you get the idea for your project?
The book originated in a class that taught at UCCS to upper division undergraduate and introductory graduate students in Physics. I also drew from workshops that I do for technicians and engineers in industry.
3. Did your focus develop or change throughout the research and writing process?
I saw more clearly how surface science and thin film science blend together into a single discipline.
4. Which idea do you write about that most excites, invigorates or inspires you?
I love to communicate practical ideas and enjoy sharing tips on various experimental techniques that can be applied in the laboratory.
5. Describe your writing space. Where do you do your best work? What time of day? Do you have any writing routines you are willing to share?
I wrote major sections of the book while on sabbatical in Minnesota while living and writing in my parent’s basement while serving as a visiting Professor at Macalester College. The revisions were largely done in Colorado Springs in my youngest daughter’s bedroom which we converted to an office during COVID since she now lives in Denver.
6. What new questions for future exploration have you discovered?
I noted how, throughout my career, our experimental capabilities of probing materials on a smaller scale have improved every year. It will be exciting to see how our abilities continue to develop and how that will change what I have written. That might require a second edition!
UCCS celebrates faculty and staff who author and edit books each year. In recognition of their achievement, and as part of the UCCS Author Spotlight initiative, authors are invited to submit details on their published works.