Handbook of Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry / W. Wolfram. Tungsten. (System-Nr. 54) / Ergänzungsband / The Element / Surface Properties. Electron Emission

The volume describes physical properties of tungsten metal and covers specifically surface properties, electron emission, and field evaporation. Tungsten surfaces are probably the most extensively studied metal surfaces. Recently, experimentalists and theorists have focussed their interest on the atomic structure, lattice dynamics, and electronic properties of the W(100) surface. While the structure of the reconstructed low-temperature surface is well established, there are still unresolved problems concerning the structure at and above room temperature, the nature of the phase transition, and the driving force for the reconstruction. There are numerous and partly conflicting data on the surface energy, the self-diffusion parameters, and the work function of single-crystal and polycrystal tungsten surfaces. Electron emission, which is of fundamental importance for many applications, comprises thermionic, field, photofield, and photoelectric emission as well as emission induced by impinging electrons, atoms, or ions. Pioneering work in areas like thermionic or field emission is comprehensively discussed. Very recent studies of valence-band and core-level spectra moreover provide detailed information on intrinsic surface properties.