low energy electron diffraction (LEED)

Any technique which measures the angular intensity distribution of electrons reflected from a crystalline surface under bombardment with low energy electrons (E 0 < 500 eV) in larger angles of incidence. The diffraction pattern also provides very surface sensitive information on the atomic arrangement of the top layers of a solid.
Source:
PAC, 1983, 55, 2023 (Nomenclature, symbols and units recommended for in situ microanalysis (Provisional)) on page 2025