Electronic interactions and phase transitions at surfaces and in low dimensions

Low-dimensional and magnetic systems provide particularly clear-cut cases for the study of modified electron states that result from coupling with elementary excitations. Electronic quasiparticles of enhanced mass have been observed on the energy scale of phonons, and very recently on that of spin waves. Such mechanisms have bearing for superconducting pair formation, as spin fluctuations are being considered for high-temperature superconductivity. Phase transitions can occur if these interactions are accompanied by a nesting condition in the Fermi surface, leading to charge- or spin-density waves. The phase transition usually involves a structural distortion and is characterized by the opening of an energy gap. Special cases are the presence of multiple bands at the Fermi surface or the occurrence of thermal fluctuations. Recent progress in photoelectron spectroscopy and synchrotron-radiation instrumentation allow us to study these effects directly and resolved in k-space. Observations on surfaces, in magnetic materials, and in quasi-one-dimensional crystals are presented.