The work function of submonolayer cesium-covered gold: A photoelectron spectroscopy study

Using visible and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we measured the work function of a Au(111) surface at a well-defined submonolayer coverage of Cs. For a Cs coverage producing a photoemission maximum with a He-Ne laser, the work function is 1.61+/-0.08 eV, consistent with previous assumptions used to analyze vibrationally promoted electron emission. A discussion of possible Cs layer structures is also presented.