This fully updated edition provides a broad approach to the surface analysis of polymers being of high technological interest. Modern analytical techniques, potential applications and recent advances in instrumental apparatus are discussed. The self-consistent chapters are devoted to spectroscopic and microscopic techniques which represent powerful tools for the characterization of morphology and chemical, physical, mechanical properties of polymer surfaces, interfaces, and thin fi lms. Selection of techniques which can properly address very shallow depth of surfaces, spanning from few angstroms to tens of nanometers Interaction of polymer surfaces with their surroundings is pointed out as a critical issue for specifi c applications