Some of the most relevant surface science experiments which had been recently performed in order to understand the elementary surface processes of model catalytic reactions and semiconductor technology at the atomic level were described. Attention was focussed on experiments performed with scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy which represented, in some cases, real breakthroughs in the understanding of these phenomena. An overview was then presented of possible experimental technique developments that could be foreseen for the future and that might provide a more in-depth understanding of the elementary processes which form the basis of important complex surface phenomena. Finally, some of the challenging tasks that lie ahead for surface scientists and the collateral opportunities were discussed.

Atomic Description of Elementary Surface Processes - Diffusion and Dynamics. F.Rosei, R.Rosei: Surface Science, 2002, 500[1-3], 395-413