Anomalous Schottky Effect

Abstract

An analysis is presented of the effect of an electric field upon a ``patchy'' thermionic emitter. The model assumed for the analysis is that of parallel strips in a plane arranged with adjacent strips alternating between two particular values of work function. Calculations are made showing the dependence of emission on various parameters in the model. Some comparisons are made between the above analysis, the Nottingham strip theory for field effects, and experimental data presented by Nottingham. On the basis of the above analysis a simple model is presented for estimating the field effect on thermionic emission. Results from the simplified model are compared with those from the more detailed analysis.