Vacuum Thermionic Work Functions of Polycrystalline Be, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Pt, and Type 304 Stainless Steel

Abstract

Experimentally measured effective vacuum thermionic electron work functions are reported for well outgassed polycrystalline surfaces of beryllium (3.67 eV), titanium (3.6 to 4.3 eV), chromium (3.90 eV), iron (4.47 eV), nickel (4.41 eV), copper (4.42 eV), platinum (5.6 to 5.8 eV), strongly (210) oriented, and 304 stainless steel (4.3 eV) in a clean, 10−9-Torr vacuum environment. Special techniques were employed to insure accurate current, area, and temperature values. Purities, heat treatment histories, outgassing conditions, and x-ray crystallography measurements of the surfaces are included.