ORDER AND CHAOS IN NATURE-PHENOMENA AT SURFACES

In chemical reaction systems far from thermodynamical equlibrium rate oscillations and chemical wave patterns develop. This paper presents a condensed overview of recent developments in the study of self-organization processes during heterogeneously catalyzed reactions, whereby the main emphasis is focused on low pressure single crystal studies of oscillatory and pattern forming reactions on Pt and Rh surfaces. Chemical wave patterns on a macroscopic scale as well as reaction induced-microscopic roughening and coverage fluctuations in nano-scale systems are discussed.