Patent ID: 8866505
Filing Date: 2014-10-21
Classification: B82Y,G01N,G01Q

Abstract:
1. A measurement apparatus comprising: a measurement device comprising a probe and being capable of measuring a contact potential difference between the probe and a surface; and a light source; wherein the light source is configured to, in use, emit radiation for triggering photoelectric emission from a sample which forms the surface; wherein the probe and the surface are exposed to or housed within a gaseous environment; and wherein: the probe is selectively operable in a first mode for the performance of a relative work function measurement of the sample and a second mode wherein, for successive photon energy measurements, the probe is in a fixed relation to the surface in a direction normal to the surface for measuring an absolute work function of the same sample derived from detected photoelectric emission, whereby the apparatus advantageously enables measurement of both absolute work function making use of the photoelectric emission and relative work function making use of the contact potential difference employing the same probe and the same sample.