A model simplification of dielectric responses and metal surface electrodynamics

R. Monreal , P. de Andrés , F. Flores , F. García-Moliner

First the dielectric response of a bulk free electron metal is simplified so that it contains both collective mode (plasmon) and single particle mode structure, taken up by one single effective electron-hole pair mode of appropriate spectral strength. Then the enhanced local excitation of electron hole pairs in the surface region is modelled by addition of a phenomenological term with empirically adjustable amplitude. This provides an approximate surface response function. The first model yields very good results for the internal photoyield. The second is supplemented with a simplified surface barrier (a square step with the jellium edge withdrawn to ensure charge conservation) and corresponding electronic wavefunctions. This yields fairly good results for the total photoyield, while providing a very substantial simplification.

Mots clés: dielectric function; electrodynamics; metal theory; photoemission; plasmons; surface electron states

Domaines: Articles anciens

R. Monreal, P. de Andrés, F. Flores, F. García-Moliner. A model simplification of dielectric responses and metal surface electrodynamics. Journal de Physique, 1984, 45 (7), pp.1223-1230. ⟨10.1051/jphys:019840045070122300⟩. ⟨jpa-00209858⟩