Mean-field theory of multilayer physisorption. Adsorbate densities and surface potentials

Abstract

Hartree-Fock equations are derived for an inert gas adsorbed on a solid surface for the case of highly mobile physisorption. The temperature and pressure dependence of the coverage is calculated and an effective coverage-dependent surface potential is derived. Single-particle energies and wave functions for adsorbed particles are computed yielding the coverage dependence of the adsorbate density profile and adlayer separations. Gas-solid systems studied numerically are ${}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{He}$ on graphite, ${}_{}{}^4{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{He}$ on graphite, and Ar on silver.