Surface properties of alkaline metals in the electric field in view of relaxation

Abstract

Influence of the surface relaxation on the surface energy of low-index faces of alkaline metals is considered. It is shown, that compression of interplane distances is observed on friable faces (111) in all cases, and either a stretching or absence of relaxation is observed on close-packed faces (110) for Li and K. Presence of a field strengthens the surface relaxation and changes the value of the surface energy.

Keywords

• surface energy
• relaxation
• electronic work function