Electron field emission (FE) from quantum size systems

The shape of the potential barrier at a thin-film cathode with a quantized electron spectrum is investigated theoretically taking into account spatial dispersion effects, external field penetration and collective Fermi-liquid interactions in the system of filled electron states. Quantum size effects...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied surface science 1995-03, Vol.87, p.53-60
Main Authors: Il'chenko, L.G., Kryuchenko, Yu.V., Litovchenko, V.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids
impact phenomena
Electronics
Exact sciences and technology
Field emission, ionization, evaporation, and desorption
Microelectronic fabrication (materials and surfaces technology)
Physics
Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices
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Summary:The shape of the potential barrier at a thin-film cathode with a quantized electron spectrum is investigated theoretically taking into account spatial dispersion effects, external field penetration and collective Fermi-liquid interactions in the system of filled electron states. Quantum size effects lead to quasi-oscillatory dependences of screening radius, affinity energy, work function, barrier height and external field penetration into the film on film thickness. As a result of these effects, at some critical thicknesses which are characteristic for the film material, the emission current from a thin-film cathode is predicted to be substantially greater (by some orders of magnitude) than that from the non-quantized bulk material.
ISSN:0169-4332
1873-5584
DOI:10.1016/0169-4332(94)00531-1