Energy distribution and quantum yield for photoemission from air-contaminated gold surfaces under UV illumination close to the threshold

TL;DR

This study measures and analyzes the energy distribution and quantum yield of photoelectrons emitted from air-contaminated gold surfaces under near-threshold UV illumination, revealing effects of contamination, geometry, and surface conditions.

Contribution

It provides a detailed experimental and theoretical analysis of photoemission from contaminated gold surfaces, including a model that accounts for electrode geometry and energy-dependent transmission.

Findings

Emission efficiency varies with air exposure and can be restored by annealing.

Energy distribution closely matches DuBridge's free electron gas model.

Surface contamination and electrode geometry significantly influence photoemission characteristics.

Abstract

The kinetic energy distributions of photo-electrons emitted from gold surfaces under illumination by UV-light close to the threshold are measured and analyzed. Samples are prepared as chemically clean through Ar-Ion sputtering and then exposed to atmosphere for variable durations before Quantum Yield measurements are performed after evacuation. During measurements the bias voltage applied to the sample is varied and the resulting emission current measured. Taking the derivative of the current-voltage curve yields the energy distribution which is found to closely resemble the distribution of total energies derived by DuBridge for emission from a free electron gas. We investigate the dependence of distribution shape and width on electrode geometry and contaminant substances adsorbed from the atmosphere, in particular to water and hydro-carbons. Emission efficiency increases initially during air exposure before diminishing to zero on a timescale of several hours, whilst subsequent annealing of the sample restores emissivity. A model fit function, in good quantitative agreement with the measured data, is introduced which accounts for the experiment-specific electrode geometry and an energy dependent transmission coefficient. The impact of large patch potential fields from contact potential drops between sample and sample holder is investigated. The total quantum yield is split into bulk and surface contributions which are tested for their sensitivity to light incidence angle and polarization. Our results are directly applicable to model parameters for the contact-free discharge system onboard the LISA Pathfinder spacecraft.