Field-Induced and Thermal Electron Currents from Earthed Spherical Emitters

Abstract

The ever-decreasing size of nanoscale emitters necessitates a shift away from using planar theories of electron emission to analyze experimental results. Returning to the problem's roots, the authors develop a comprehensive theory of field and thermal emission from grounded spheres as small as 2 nm in radius. Precise expressions for the emitted current show that the planar theory overestimates it by several orders of magnitude. These results are applicable to dusty plasmas and many industrial processes involving aerosols and powders, as well as those producing soot and other pollutants.