Fermi–Thomas Response of a Metal Surface to an External Point Charge

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The dielectric response of a semi‐infinite metal to a point charge a short distance outside its surface is calculated in the linearized Fermi–Thomas approximation. The general form of the potential in the metal and vacuum is discussed. A generalization of the classical image theorem is given. The energy change on bringing up the charge to the surface is calculated, and found to be in good agreement with a previous approximation due to Gomer and Swanson.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: