Photoelectric effect at metal junctions

[technano]

TL;DR Summary

Any idea about difference in photoelectric effect between a piece of pure metal and that metal connected at one end with another metal.

Any idea about difference in photoelectric effect between a piece of pure metal and that metal connected at one end with another metal. Would the work function of the metal with photoelectric effect differ in the latter case?

 

[berkeman]

Paging @ZapperZ

 

[ZapperZ]

Summary:: Any idea about difference in photoelectric effect between a piece of pure metal and that metal connected at one end with another metal.

Any idea about difference in photoelectric effect between a piece of pure metal and that metal connected at one end with another metal. Would the work function of the metal with photoelectric effect differ in the latter case?

No.

Zz.

 

[berkeman]

Welp, that pretty much summarizes things.

 

[ZapperZ]

To explain a bit more, there is a contact potential difference between two metals with different work function. But unlike a pn junction, there isn't a considerable "depletion zone"-type region for metals. The change in work function is almost abrupt. And besides, the work function of the bulk material remains the same.

If the whole point here is to lower the effective work function, we already know of ways to do that. I have cesiated the surface of Nb to lower its work function. I have also cesiated the surface of Te to create Cs₂Te, which also has a low work function. Those are considerably more useful and of use rather than using a metal-metal junction.

BTW, I don't see a connection with the regular topics of Quantum Physics in this question. What I've described so far is solid state physics/condensed matter.

Zz.