Work Function Measurements on a Silver-Oxygen-Caesium Photocathode Prepared on an Ag(lll) Single Crystal

Abstract

A (111) single crystal of silver is cleaned by argon ion bombardment and annealing in ultra‐high vacuum. The photoelectric work function of the clean crystal is (4.40 ± 0.03) eV. Chemisorption of oxygen to an exposure of about 2000 L causes an increase in work function of about 0.13 eV. The silver crystal is used as the substrate for the preparation of a silver‐oxygen‐caesium photo‐cathode, which shows a spectral response similar to that of a commercial SI photocathode.