Changes in the surface energy of solids caused by light absorption

Abstract

Considers the changes in the surface energy (surface tension) of solids caused by extrinsic light absorption. The spectral and intensity dependences of these changes were experimentally measured for Si and CdS single crystals and a phenomenological theory describing this phenomenon is also presented. It is shown that the obtained dependences make it possible to determine the spectral distribution of the surface absorption coefficient. In this way the surface electronic states can be investigated by acoustic means.