The temperature dependence of metal work functions

Abstract

The influence of thermal expansion of metals on the temperature dependence of the work function is considered. Both the temperature coefficient of the jellium work function and lattice corrections to the work function are calculated for (110), (100) and (111) planes of Al, and Pb. The calculation gives a negative temperature coefficient of the jellium work function for all metals and different signs of the total work function coefficient depending on the value of the core radius of the Ashcroft model potential and also on the kind of plane.