Single-ion and pair-interaction potentials near simple metal surfaces

Abstract

Presented is a model for semi-infinite simple metals which does not require crystalline order or a single species, and thus is applicable to problems of defect energetics near the surface and random-alloy surfaces as well as ideal metal surfaces. The formulation is based on the use of ionic pseudopotentials and linear-response theory. An expression for the total energy is obtained which depends explicitly on ionic species and position. This expression is decomposed into a density-dependent term and single-ion and ionic pair-interaction potential terms. The single-ion potentials oscillate about a constant bulk value, with the magnitude of the oscillation decreasing rapidly away from the surface. The interaction between pairs of ions near the surface is shown to be a noncentral force interaction which differs significantly from the central-force bulk pair potential. The effect of quantum interference in the response of the semi-infinite electron gas to the ions is seen in both the single-ion and the pair-interaction potentials. Results are presented for the simple metals sodium, potassium, and rubidium.