Present-day understanding of the nature of formation of vibrational spectra of adsorbates is examined. Particular attention is paid to the theoretical side of the problem. A comparison is made of the relative roles of T$_1$ (dissipative damping) and T$_2$ (pure dephasing) processes, and also of electron-hole pairs, phonons and photons in T$_1$ processes. The problem is discussed of separating out the mechanism dominating the determination of line shape. It is noted that inhomogeneous broadening which undoubtedly plays an important role in many cases has received little theoretical attention. An analysis is given of recent experimental data on the basis of modern theoretical concepts.

PT Journal Article
TI Vibrational spectroscopy of adsorbates
AU Braun O M
FAU Braun OM
AU Volokitin A I
FAU Volokitin AI
AU Zhdanov V P
FAU Zhdanov VP
DP 10 Jul, 1989
TA Phys. Usp.
VI 32
IP 7
PG 605-621
RX 10.1070/PU1989v032n07ABEH002738
URL https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1989/7/c/
SO Phys. Usp. 1989 Jul 10;32(7):605-621