Call for experimental test of a revised mathematical form for empirical field emission current-voltage characteristics

Abstract

There are now good theoretical reasons to believe that experimental current-voltage (i-V) relationships for cold field electron emission (CFE) should approximately obey the empirical law i=CV kappa exp(-B/V), where B, C, and kappa are effectively constant, and kappa not equal 2. Since -d ln i/d(1/V) = (V2/i)di/dV=B+kappa V, kappa for a given emission situation could be experimentally established from an appropriate data plot if sufficiently accurate current-voltage measurements were available. Knowledge of experimental kappa values could lead to greater physical understanding of CFE and variations as between materials. It is strongly urged that the feasibility of measurements of this kind be carefully explored. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.

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