Internal interfaces in the sense of this collaborative research centre are interfaces between two solids. They are locations, where two different electron systems couple. Our research is focussed on the detailed microscopic understanding of this coupling and how it can be influenced and tailored to specific needs. Since not only existing electronic semiconductor devices, but also most future applications of novel solid state materials, such as molecular or two-dimensional solids, rely on interfacial properties, research on internal interfaces lies at the heart of modern materials science.

The material systems under investigation in SFB 1083 are inorganic semiconductors, organic thin films and metals. The particular choice of material combinations and interfaces between them is generally not driven by specific applications. Their choice is rather determined by their suitability as model systems to address and isolate fundamental processes of chemical and physical interactions at and across the interface. The research programme proceeds along three main lines. Two of these are directly reflected in the topic areas of the centre, while development and improvement of interface-specific experimental techniques is an important aspect of several projects in both topic areas.