On the Polarization Dependence of Photoemission from Metals

The dependences of one‐and two‐photon photoemission currents from metal on angle of incidence and polarization of light are considered. They are found to be affected by the electric field intensity near the metal boundary. Unlike previous expressions for photocurrent, the formula derived includes an interference term between the amplitudes of probability of transition under the action of fields normal and parallel to the boundary. Experimental data on photoemission and electroreflectance of lead and indium are analyzed. Such a combined analysis may reveal certain essential electronic characteristics of the boundary, in particular, change in the phase of reflection of electrons on Fermi surface from the metal surface when its state changes. The effect of microroughness of the metal boundary on frequency and polarization dependences of photoemission is given special attention. The most significant effects arise in a frequency range where surface plasmons are created. The theory is consistent with experiments on photoemission from silver. [Russian Text Ignored].