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In solid-state physics, the work function (sometimes spelled workfunction) is the minimum thermodynamic work (i.e., energy) needed to remove an electron from a solid to a point in the vacuum immediately outside the solid surface.
Jun 18, 2023 · A work function is defined as the minimum amount of thermodynamic work (i.e., energy) required to remove an electron from a solid to a point in the vacuum immediately outside the solid surface. The symbol for the work function is Φ (uppercase Phi of the Greek alphabet).
Mar 22, 2023 · The work function, which is the energy barrier for an electron escaping from the surface of a material, is an important fundamental material surface property with many applications spanning energy harvesting, heterogeneous catalysis, vacuum electronics and solid-state electronics.
Sep 19, 2023 · Learn how light can cause electrons to be emitted from a material's surface, and how the work function determines the minimum energy threshold for this phenomenon. Explore the photoelectric equation, its application in solar cells, and its history and discovery by Einstein.
- Michiko Yoshitake
- yoshitake.michiko@nims.go.jp
- 2021
- Classification of the relationship among the atomic distance in the metal (a), the size of the metal (L), and the distance between the surface of the metal and the final position of the electron.
- Schematic band diagram for metal, semiconductor, and insulator (see text for explanation) Full size image. Here we discuss the difference in the final position of an extracted electron in Fig.
- Potential diagram as a function of the distance between the surface and the final position of the electron. Full size image. Note that the work function is not an intrinsic property of bulk materials such as the lattice constant or density, but is affected by the state of the surface such as the crystal orientation, roughness, and surface contamination.
- Schematic illustration of band generation by bond formation among atoms (see text for explanation) Full size image.
The work function is the potential barrier that binds electrons inside a material. Therefore, we start by considering the energy stabilization of electrons by bond formation between atoms.
Learn about the photoelectric effect, the minimum frequency and energy required to emit electrons from a metal, and the stopping potential to measure the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons. Download PDFs, watch videos, and test yourself with past papers and questions.
