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Role of the intrinsic surface state in the decay of image states at a metal surface

J. Osma·I. Sarria·E. V. Chulkov·J. M. Pitarke·P. M. Echenique
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Abstract

The role of the intrinsic surface state ($n=0$) in the decay of the first image state ($n=1$) at the (111) surface of copper is investigated. Inelastic linewidths are evaluated from the knowledge of the imaginary part of the electron self-energy, which we compute, within the GW approximation of many-body theory, by going beyond a free-electron description of the metal surface. Single-particle wave functions are obtained by solving the Schrödinger equation with a realistic one-dimensional model potential, and departure of the motion along the surface from free-electron behaviour is considered through the introduction of the effective mass. The decay of the first image state of Cu(111) into the intrinsic surface state is found to result in a linewidth that represents a 40% of the total linewidth. The dependence of linewidths on the momentum of the image state parallel to the surface is also investigated.

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J. Osma, I. Sarria, E. V. Chulkov, J. M. Pitarke, P. M. Echenique. 1999-01-21. Role of the intrinsic surface state in the decay of image states at a metal surface. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.59.10591

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