Lateral interactions and vibrational lifetimes

In this work I will consider three related topics, namely 1. (A) Lateral interactions between adsorbed molecules (§1-7); 2. (B) Optical properties of two-dimensional systems of small metallic particles (§8-10); 3. (C) Damping of excitations at surfaces (§11-13). None of these topics will be treated in great detail. I hope to be able to show, however, that topics (A)-(C) are closely related and that they constitute a unified body of knowledge, which should be useful in gaining insight into such diverse fields as the optical properties of solar energy absobers, heterogeneous catalysis and photosynthesis. © 1983.