Abstract:
In the work of Shebzukhova and Arefieva, by the method of electronic-statistical calculation of the
anisotropy of the surface energy of metals, a method for estimating the work function of electrons from a metal
was determined. The surface energy and electron work function of four main faces of cadmium and zinc crystals
and five faces of mercury are estimated. In the work of Bokarev, the anisotropy of the surface energy of single
crystals was calculated from the model of coordination melting of crystals. Based on experimental studies and
theoretical calculations, it is shown that the model of coordination melting of crystals unambiguously links the
physicochemical properties of the surface of single crystals with their crystal structure. In our proposed empirical
model, not only the anisotropy is calculated, but also the thickness of the surface layer of the metal. It is shown
that the thickness of the surface layer is determined by one fundamental parameter - the molar (atomic) volume,
which periodically changes in accordance with the table of D.I. Mendeleev. It is shown in the work that the work
function of electrons changes proportionally with a change in the surface energy of the metal. This means that the
device we have developed can be used to measure the state of the metal surface and its anisotropy.
