Fractal structure of surface layers and fluctuation of electron output from metals

Abstract

The paper shows that the surface layer of a metal is a nanostructure. This surface layer possesses nonlinear properties that depend on its size and all physical properties. The phenomenon of electron emission from a metal under the action of an external electric field is considered. Taking into account the dimensional dependence of the conductivity of the surface layer leads to the Mandelbrot equation. This result shows that the surface layer has a fractal structure. The study of fluctuations of the contact potential difference on samples made of structural metal alloys is carried out. It has been experimentally established that the magnitude of the fluctuation of the contact potential difference at one point of the sample does not depend on the surface roughness. Several mechanisms that lead to fluctuations in the contact potential difference are considered. The first mechanism is associated with the thermal motion of the atoms inside the sample. The second mechanism is related to the processes occurring on the surface of the sample. The third mechanism is related to the processes in the measuring instrument.