On the effect of order-disorder phase transition in adsorbed films on work function

There exists considerable experimental evidence that disturbance of the long-range order in films of alkaline elements adsorbed on noble and transition metals does not significantly change the work function. This is explained by assuming that the work function is determined mainly by the short-range order which remains after the disturbance of the long-range order in the adsorbed layer. Two experimental situations are cited where the work function undergoes noticeable changes when the short-range order in the layer is changed with the temp. variation. It is concluded that a theory describing the dependence of the work function on the order--disorder phase transition in an adsorbed layer must take into account the short-range order in the adatom arrangement. 12 ref.--E.J.S.