Ice structures and dynamics on surfaces
Though the ice molecule is rather simple and has been investigated since antiquity, some fundamental questions remain open. Some of these questions were answered recently in combination with theory. We have clarified the structure of hydrated water hexamers as well as amorphous and crystalline structures on metal surface.
Currently, we investigate the unresolved question of molecular structure formation on insulating surfaces. Answering these questions is important for as diverse topics as understanding chemical reactions in the ionosphere or astrophysical reactions.
In future, we will investigate the influence of electron solvatisation at the ice surface onto the reactivity of adsorbates. This line of research is supported by the DFG within a common project of a theoretician (Michel Bockstedte, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg) and an experimental group that will investigate the time dynamics (Uwe Bovensiepen, University of Duisburg-Essen).
