5. Conclusion

The physical chemistry of solid surfaces is, by its very nature, a rich yet complex interdisciplinary field. It is a young science that has developed significantly over the past three decades, in tandem with considerable advances in ultra-high vacuum technologies, surface fabrication and characterization techniques, and sophisticated computational and information technology. This article aims only to provide a brief, basic introduction to the electronic properties of solid surfaces, summarizing the essentials of current knowledge. As the field is constantly evolving, the overview presented at the time of writing is far from definitive.