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Second harmonic generation for in situ analysis of electrode surface structure.
Applied Optics
|May 22, 2010
Summary
Second harmonic generation (SHG) probes electrode surface structure. Ordered silver surfaces show specific SHG patterns that change with electrochemical roughening, confirming surface sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Surface science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Second harmonic generation (SHG) is a nonlinear optical technique.
- SHG can probe surface structure and symmetry at interfaces.
- Rotational anisotropy in SHG signals provides information on surface order.
Purpose of the Study:
- To use SHG as an in situ probe of surface structure and symmetry.
- To investigate the degree of structural order at the metal electrode-electrolyte interface.
- To observe changes in surface structure during electrochemical roughening.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the nonlinear optical technique of second harmonic generation.
- Analyzed rotational anisotropy in the second harmonic (SH) signal.
- Studied the silver(111) (Ag(111)) electrode surface.
- Observed changes in SH signal patterns as the electrode was electrochemically roughened.
Main Results:
- Observed specific patterns in p- and s-polarized SH output for Ag(111).
- These patterns align with theoretical predictions, indicating an ordered surface.
- Demonstrated that SHG patterns change as the electrode surface undergoes electrochemical roughening.
Conclusions:
- Second harmonic generation is effective for in situ monitoring of surface order and symmetry.
- The study confirms the presence of an ordered surface structure on Ag(111).
- Electrochemical roughening alters the surface structure, as evidenced by changes in SHG patterns.
