he modern era of surface science, developed in the last 30 years, features hundreds of T new physical and chemical measurement methods such as low-energy electron diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy, which form a vital foundation for the field. These measurement methods constitute the basis for a number of books used by begin­ ning students as their introduction to experimental research. This book is not about this particular experimental core of the field. Instead, it is about those practical laboratory methods used throughout the field, but seldom communicated coherently in writing and drawings to beginning students. These practical methods of design, construction, and measurement also form their own foundation for making pos­ sible significant research. They constitute a gold mine of clever ideas and "tricks of the trade" about how to use basic materials and components effectively for research and mea­ surement in surface science. Approximately 250 practical methods are described in the book in enough detail that one could design a new experimental device from the book alone. This book will be useful to beginning research workers in surface science as well as to those who work with similar methods in fields such as semiconductor technology, mate­ rials science, and physical electronics.