Derivation of a current-voltage-type plot beyond the Fowler-Nordheim one: The role of the voltage-dependency on the emission area

摘要

A dependency of the emission area on the applied voltage has been recently confirmed in reliable cold field emission experiments considering emitters in a large area form. In this work, we show that the inclusion of this dependency leads to a more general theory and then to a derivation of a more general current-voltage plot. This derivation is patent to a precise field emitter characterization, even in a single tip emitter form. We confirmed our analytical predictions using first-principles electrostatic calculations for a hemisphere on a cylindrical post and for ellipsoidal conducting emitters. As a consequence, a new plot is proposed beyond the Fowler-Nordheim one. This plot is experimentally feasible and provides, with high precision, the apex field enhancement factor from orthodox current-voltage characteristics. Published under license by AIP Publishing.