Coverage dependence of the work function of metals upon alkali-metal adsorption

Abstract

Alkali-metal adsorption on metal substrates leads to changes in the work function $\Delta \phi$ with changing adsorbate coverage $\theta$. The function $\Delta \phi$ goes through a minimum at a certain coverage. It is demonstrated by an Anderson-model calculation that the experimental data for $\Delta \phi$ vs $\theta$ can be successfully explained if metallization is accompanied by a metal-substrate distance relaxation.