Effect of Deformation on the Electronic Properties of the W(110) Single Crystals Surface Before and After Different Types of Surface Treatment

Abstract

The electronic states' changes on the surface of the W(110) single crystal strained due to plastic bending are studied by the method of plasmon spectroscopy after thermal, thermochemical and ion treatments in comparison with those of analogous unstrained tungsten single crystal. The relative changes of the interplanar spaces, the concentration of the conduction electrons involved in plasma oscillations, as well as work function for electrons are calculated based on the plasmons' energy shifts. As established, the macroscopic bending of the W(110) single crystal leads to a decrease in the work function from its convex surface, which undergoes tensile deformation. The maximal difference in the work functions for unstrained and strained single crystals is observed after all sequentially used thermal, thermochemical and ion treatments and is of 0.2 eV. The obtained results are important for the practical application of thermionic energy converters with nonplanar electrodes.