What is work function of a metal?

The work function (WF) of a metal can be defined as the minimum energy required to extract one electron from a metal. Obviously the WF is one of the fundamental electronic properties of bare and coated metallic surfaces.

Does work function depend on metal?

Work functions depend on the structure and chemical composition of a surface. For example, different crystallographic surfaces of the same metal or compound can have substantially different work functions.

How is eV work function calculated?

The formula for energy in terms of charge and potential difference is E = QV. So 1 eV = (1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs)x(1 volt) = 1.6 x 10^-19 Joules.

Is the work function small for heavy metals?

The work function tends to be smaller for metals with an open lattice, and larger for metals in which the atoms are closely packed. It is somewhat higher on dense crystal faces than open crystal faces, also depending on surface reconstructions for the given crystal face.

Does work function depend on temperature?

The magnitude of the temperature dependence increases with decreasing atomic density of the lattice plane. A strongly nonlinear dependence of the work function is observed for W(100).

How is the work function of a metal calculated?

The resulting electric current is analyzed as a function of the applied field and the work function is calculated. Photoelectric-effect-based methods use light, typically in the UV range, as the source of energy for the electrons. As in other absolute methods, the resulting electric current (here called photocurrent) is analyzed.

Is the work function a characteristic of a bulk material?

The work function is not a characteristic of a bulk material, but rather a property of the surface of the material (depending on crystal face and contamination). The work function W for a given surface is defined by the difference

How is the work function of a solid surface determined?

The work function of solid surfaces can be determined experimentally using absolute or relative approaches. Absolute methods allow one to measure the work function value directly.

How is the work function of a semiconductor sensitive?

In a semiconductor, the work function is sensitive to the doping level at the surface of the semiconductor. Since the doping near the surface can also be controlled by electric fields, the work function of a semiconductor is also sensitive to the electric field in the vacuum.

What is work function of a metal? The work function (WF) of a metal can be defined as the minimum energy required to extract one electron from a metal. Obviously the WF is one of the fundamental electronic properties of bare and coated metallic surfaces. Does work function depend on metal? Work functions depend on…