Order and chaos in nature-phenomena at surfaces

In chemical reaction systems far from thermodynamical equlibrium rate oscil lations and chemical wave patterns develop. This paper presents a condensed overview of recent developments in the study of self-organization processe s during heterogeneously catalyzed reactions, whereby the main emphasis is focused on low pressure single crystal studies of oscillatory and pattern f orming reactions on Pt and Rh surfaces. Chemical wave patterns on a macrosc opic scale as well as reaction induced-microscopic roughening and coverage fluctuations in nano-scale systems are discussed.