Abstract

Surface optical second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation have become viable analytical tools for surf ace and inter face studies. The symmetry-governed surface specificity makes the techniques rather unique in comparison with other surface probes. Being laser-based coherent optical processes, the techniques also have a number of obvious advantages over the conventional methods. In particular, they are applicable to any interface accessible by light, and as spectroscopic tools, have high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions. These unique capabilities have led to unique applications.

© 1992 Optical Society of America