(c). Calculated neutral fraction as a function of the target temperature under the finite- approach. The solid red lines correspond to the calculation assuming different values of the gold work function around 5.1 eV (indicated in the figure). The figure shows a strong dependence of the neutral fraction with the surface work function. Typical precision in work-function measurements (0.1 eV) introduces ample errors in the calculation (shaded region), sufficient to match the experimental data (black solid squares).
Calculated neutral fraction under the finite- model when the work function is fixed at eV (full red circles) and when a slight temperature dependence in the work function (the inset) is assumed (empty squares with crosses). Work-function variations on the order of eV/K are typical in metals.