Photoelectric Emission from Zn

Abstract

The quantum yield, energy distribution, and temperature dependence of photoelectric emission from the basal plane of single crystals of high-purity (99.999%) Zn have been measured. The quantum yield is temperature-dependent and is consistent with a free-electron model in which transitions are phonon-assisted. The change in shape of the energy distribution curves in going from $h\nu =9.32\mathrm{}-9.54$ eV is consistent with the onset of the plasma region rather than with the excitations from $d$ states. The work function for the basal plane is 3.63 eV.