Quantification of Electron Work Function Effects on Acoustic Parameters of Metals

Abstract

In this study, efforts are made to establish the correlation between electron work function (EWF) and acoustical properties of metals such as Rayleigh velocity and acoustic impedance. As shown, the generalized Rayleigh velocity increases linearly with increasing EWF. This observed behaviour, which is due to the electronic structures, is also extended and computed for acoustic impedance; exponential dependences are deduced. These dependences are quantified by semi-empirical equations. The obtained results help to better estimate the interdependence between electronic properties of metals and their acoustic parameters.