% TODO: Broad general sweeping statements about thin films
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+Motivation:
+\begin{itemize}
+ \item The properties of solids can be understood in terms of an infinite periodic lattice
+ \item In reality, every solid must have a finite spatial extent. The
+ \item Thin films can have extremely complicated and interesting properties.
+ \item The characterisation of thin films is important research in electronics as the surface to volume ratio increases.
+ \item Most recent research has been into completely new technologies which exploit phenomena (
+ \item Somehow link to metallic-black films (?)
+\end{itemize}
So called metallic-black films are the result of deposition of metal elements at a relatively high pressure (of the order of $10^{-2}$ mbar). The films are named due to their high absorbance at visible wavelengths; they appear black to the naked eye. There is a remarkable contrast between such films and films deposited under low pressure (less than $10^{-6}$mbar), which are typically highly reflective and brightly coloured.