Term: clean surface
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01099

Definition:
An experimental surface having no surface contamination observable by means of the used method.

Related Terms:
1) contamination (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01295).

Source: PAC, 1979, 51, 2243. 'General aspects of trace analytical methods—IV. Recommendations for nomenclature, standard procedures and reporting of experimental data for surface analysis techniques' on page 2247 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197951112243)

Citation: 'clean surface' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01099

License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms.

Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.