Van der Waals Interaction Between an Atom and a Solid Surface.
Abstract
This paper contributes to the theory of the long-ranged attractive polarization force between a neutral atom and a crystalline solid surface in the non-relativistic limit. The first two terms in the asymptotic expansion of the polarization energy are used to define an atom-solid potential of the form V(pol) = -C(Z - Zo) to the (-3) power. The constant C appearing in this expression is known from the earlier work of E. M. Lifshitz. The present paper gives a theory of the position of the 'reference plane,' Z(o), which is important in applications to physisorption. An explicit expression for Z(o) is first derived for atoms interacting with a jellium metal and with an insulating crystal consisting of atoms which interact via dipole-dipole forces. These model calculations are then incorporated into a computation of the polarization energies of rare gas atoms physisorbed on noble metal surfaces. The computed energies are found to be consistent with observed adsorption energies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA013311
Entities
People
- Eugene Zaremba
- Walter Kohn
Organizations
- University of California, San Diego