Surface physics methods and in vitro bone-biomaterial interface control.

After a brief review of the main characteristics of some spectroscopic and microscopic methods for surface and interface analysis, preliminary and prospective studies of biocompatible materials (hydroxyapatite, alumina) for implant coating purposes are presented. The results show that the use of complementary techniques allows information on the physical and chemical properties of the coatings both on a microscopic and on an atomic scale to be obtained.