Physics of thin films

Thin films are extremely thin layers of material, often only a few atoms or molecules thick. Their unique properties result from their small size and high surface-to-volume ratio, affecting how light, heat, and electricity interact with them. For example, thin films can reflect or transmit specific wavelengths of light, making them useful in lenses, coatings, and displays. Their behavior is governed by principles of optics, surface physics, and quantum mechanics, which determine how they grow, how they stick to surfaces, and how they influence the properties of the materials they cover.