Work function measurements on (110), (100) and (111) surfaces of silver

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Abstract
(110), (100) and (111) single crystals of silver were cleaned by argon ion bombardment and annealing in ultra-high vacuum, the chemical purity and atomic arrangement of the surfaces being monitored by Auger electron spectroscopy and low-energy electron diffraction. The work functions of the crystals, determined photoelectrically, were 4.14+or-0.04 eV, 4.22+or-0.04 eV and 4.46+or-0.02 eV respectively. The importance of eliminating contamination by sulphur, which diffuses from the bulk crystal, is emphasised; such contamination increases the work function by several tenths of an eV.