Investigation of the effect of oxygen impurities on the wetting properties of alkali metal surfaces by liquid helium

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1995 · Journal of Low Temperature Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00753317· OSTI ID:183388

Demolder, B; Raad, F; Dupont-Roc, J ^[1]

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1. Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, Paris (France)

The weak binding properties of heavy alkali metal surfaces for helium have been related to their metallic nature and their particularly small work function. A natural consequence would be that oxidized surfaces should loose their non wetting properties for liquid helium. It is pointed out that the special oxidization process of these metals could unexpectedly lead to an opposite result at some intermediate stage. First experimental results on rubidium shows evidences for such an effect.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 183388
• Report Number(s): CONF-950676-; ISSN 0022-2291; TRN: 96:000732-0003
• Journal Information: Journal of Low Temperature Physics, Vol. 101, Issue 3-4; Conference: Symposium on quantum fluids and solids, Ithaca, NY (United States), 12-17 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALKALI METALS
WETTABILITY
HELIUM
OXYGEN
WORK FUNCTIONS
BINDING ENERGY
IMPURITIES