A Journal Devoted to Applied Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces and Interfaces

Applied Surface Science covers topics contributing to a better understanding of surfaces, interfaces, nanostructures and their applications. The journal is concerned with scientific research on the atomic and molecular level of material properties determined with specific surface analytical techniques and/or computational methods, as well as the processing of such structures.

This journal accommodates the following topics:

    Surface science of catalysis, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis;
    Deposition and growth;
    2D assembly;
    Surface and interface modification by directed energy deposition (lasers, ion or electron beams) or other techniques such as plasmas;
    Surface engineering and functionalization;
    Functional surfaces and coatings;
    Electrochemistry at surfaces and corrosion protection strategies;
    Surface science applied to energy conversion and storage;
    Surface nanotechnology and devices;
    Semiconductors - surface and interface;
    Biointerfaces.

Special Issue on Photo-Excited Processes and Applications
Submission Date: 2025-11-30

Photo-excited processes play a crucial role in various scientific and technological applications. These processes are fundamental in photovoltaics, where solar cells convert light into electricity, enabling renewable energy solutions. In photochemistry, they drive reactions essential for photosynthesis, drug development, and environmental remediation. In material synthesis and modification, optical excitation can create highly nonequilibrium conditions that drive unique structural and phase transformations unattainable in conventional processing techniques.

Guest editors:

Professor Maria Dinescu
INFLPR, Magurele, Romania
maria.dinescu@inflpr.ro 

Professor Anna Paola Carricato
Department of Mathematics and Physics “E. De Giorgi”, University of Salento, Via Arnesano 73100, Lecce, Italy
annapaola.caricato@unisalento.it 
Professor Leonid Zhigilei
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
lz2n@virginia.edu 

Special issue information:

The biennial ICPEPA conference provides a forum for sharing the results of both application-oriented work and studies of fundamental mechanisms relevant to photo-assisted processing technologies. The ICPEPA participants are invited to contribute to this Special Issue of Applied Surface Science on Photo-Excited Processes and Applications.

Manuscript submission information:

Please submit your manuscript to Editorial Manager® and select article type name "VSI: ICPEPA-2025" to link your submission to the special issue.

Important dates:

Submission Open Date: October 15, 2025Submission Deadline: November 30, 2025

Keywords:

(1) Resonant and non-resonant processes in photon-induced material synthesis and processing;
(2) Laser and photon diagnostic techniques, plume/plasma spectroscopy;
(3) Modeling and theoretical analysis of photo-excited processes;
(4) Laser ablation: from fundamentals to applications;
(5) Laser-induced phase transformations, crystallization and amorphization;