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free_electron
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This is the case with metals semiconductors polymers and ceramics I have checked on the web. Still looking for exceptions...
free_electron said:This is the case with metals semiconductors polymers and ceramics I have checked on the web. Still looking for exceptions...
free_electron said:okay, I hadn't checked most of the periodic table yet :P
But even band gaps have a limited range, add to that a limited range of distances from the Fermi to the vacuum level.
Do these ranges come from somewhere?
Thanks.
The work function is the minimum energy required to remove an electron from a solid material and release it into the surrounding vacuum. It is a crucial factor in determining the electronic properties and behavior of a material, as it governs the ease with which electrons can be emitted from the material's surface.
This range of work function values is commonly observed in many different materials. It is a result of the balance between the forces that bind electrons to the material's surface and the external energy required to overcome those forces and remove the electrons. Factors such as atomic structure and bonding contribute to this range of values.
The work function is a material-specific property that depends on factors such as the type of material, its crystal structure, and its surface conditions. Different materials have different electronic structures, which affect the strength of the forces that bind electrons to the surface and, therefore, the work function value.
Yes, the work function of a material can be modified by changing its surface conditions. For example, the work function can be lowered by introducing impurities or creating defects on the material's surface. This change in work function can have significant effects on the material's electronic and surface properties.
The work function of a material can be measured using various experimental techniques, such as photoelectron spectroscopy or Kelvin probe microscopy. These methods involve exposing the material to different energies of light or applying an external voltage and measuring the resulting electron emission from the material's surface. The work function can then be calculated from these measurements.