Work function measurements with a high resolution electron energy loss spectrometer: Application to the interaction of oxygen with Ag(110)

Abstract

The monochromatized electron beam of a high resolution electron energy loss (HREEL) spectrometer is used for accurate (±5 meV) measurement of the work function changes during exposure of a Ag(110) single crystal surface to oxygen. Absolute calibration of the results is made by comparison with Kelvin probe data. The procedure allows the precise determination of the electron impact energy, which is an important parameter for quantitative HREELS analysis. Furthermore, in the case of oxygen adsorbed on Ag(110), the occurrence of several LEED ( n×1) superstructures enables a calibration of the HREELS data with respect to surface coverage.