The absence of surface dipole contributions to metal work functions

A simple model, derived from a linear approximation to the ionization potentials of atoms, is used to compute the work functions of some 43 metals, mostly within their experimental uncertainties. The computation does not make use of a surface dipole contribution. In this respect, it departs from the current literature of many-body theoretical calculations in which the surface dipole plays a major role. Even without the use of surface dipoles, the model can still count for small differences observed on different crystal faces. The model also accounts for the experimental correlations of work functions with half the ionization potential and yields a simple formalism for computing the work functions of metallic clusters. Finally, the model yields the work functions of ions in terms of the same parameter used for the work functions of electrons.