The temperature dependence of electron emission under high fields

Abstract

An expression showing the temperature dependence of electron emission under high fields is secured by combining the results of Fowler and Nordheim with the Fermi distribution of velocities used in the Sommerfeld electron theory of metals. The result is similar to that obtained previously by considering the diminution of the work function by the field. The temperature variation is small and decreases as the external field increases. It is of the right order of magnitude to agree with the most recent observations.

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