Work functions, ionization potentials, and in-between: Scaling relations based on the image charge model

Details Work functions, ionization potentials, and in-between: Scaling relations based on the image charge model Work functions, ionization potentials, and in-between: Scaling relations based on the image charge model

2002-07-30

arxiv.org/abs/physics/0207116v2

Physical Review B 67, 035406 (2003)

Physics

Atomic and Molecular Clusters

Original submission: 8 pages with 7 figures incorporated in the text. Revised submission (added one more paragraph about alloy

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevB.67.035406

We revisit a model in which the ionization energy of a metal particle is associated with the work done by the image charge force in moving the electron from infinity to a small cut-off distance just outside the surface. We show that this model can be compactly, and productively, employed to study the size dependence of electron removal energies over the range encompassing bulk surfaces, finite clusters, and individual atoms. It accounts in a straightforward manner for the empirically known correlation between the atomic ionization potential (IP) and the metal work function (WF), IP/WF$\sim$2. We formulate simple expressions for the model parameters, requiring only a single property (the atomic polarizability or the nearest neighbor distance) as input. Without any additional adjustable parameters, the model yields both the IP and the WF within $\sim$10% for all metallic elements, as well as matches the size evolution of the ionization potentials of finite metal clusters for a large fraction of the experimental data. The parametrization takes advantage of a remarkably constant numerical correlation between the nearest-neighbor distance in a crystal, the cube root of the atomic polarizability, and the image force cutoff length. The paper also includes an analytical derivation of the relation of the outer radius of a cluster of close-packed spheres to its geometric structure.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Work functions, ionization potentials, and in-between: Scaling relations based on the image charge model does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Work functions, ionization potentials, and in-between: Scaling relations based on the image charge model, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Work functions, ionization potentials, and in-between: Scaling relations based on the image charge model will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-357201