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Field stimulated exoelectron emission from borosilicate glass

Nature volume 297, pages 42–43 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

Exoelectrons, those electrons in energy levels of solids which are not fed by normal conduction mechanisms, have been detected at the surface of various materials1. Emission of exoelectrons may occur during mechanical stress2, chemical reaction3, or on heating4 or irradiation by photons of suitable energy5. Thermally stimulated exoelectron emission gives rise to so-called glow curves, in which the emitted current goes through a maximum as the temperature is increased. Robertson1 has suggested that an electric field may stimulate exoelectron emission in an analogous manner to thermal and photo emission. We describe here experiments which demonstrate the phenomenon of field stimulated exoelectron emission (FSEE), and discuss its relation to steady-state emission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Bedford College, University of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4NS, UK

    Terence M. Roberts & D. Brynn Hibbert

Authors
  1. Terence M. Roberts
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  2. D. Brynn Hibbert
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Roberts, T., Hibbert, D. Field stimulated exoelectron emission from borosilicate glass. Nature 297, 42–43 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/297042a0

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