Growth, structure and lattice dynamics of epitaxial rare earth films and nanostructures

The thesis is focused on epitaxial growth, structure characterization and investigation of the lattice dynamics of lanthanide films and nanostructures by inelastic X-ray scattering and in situ nuclear inelastic scattering. The phonon dispersions of Sm in the Sm-type and dhcp structure and Nd in the dhcp lattice are measured. The phonon densities of states of Eu fcc nanoislands and wire-like Eu structures are determined. The experimental results are compared with the ab initio theory.