Abstract: The effect of surface layers in modifying the thermionic emission has been explained by Nordheim on the assumption that the atoms in the surface contamination create an electrical double layer on the surface. If the layer is electro-positive with respect to the metal the work of final extraction of a given electron is reduced. This reduces the value of the work function χ, but at the same time requires the escaping electrons to pass through a region in which the potential energy is greater than their total energy. It follows that the emission coefficient D ( W ) is decreased at the same time. The details of the connection between χ and D ( W ) have been examined further by Fowler.
Publication Year: 1929
Publication Date: 1929-04-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 5
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