Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published July 1, 1940 | public
Journal Article Open

Electron emission into dielectric liquids

Abstract

The current between polished nickel electrodes immersed in pure toluene has been measured as a function of electric field (over the range 0 to 250,000 volts/cm) and of temperature (from - 15 to 70°C). The Richardson lines are straight but show a very small slope (0.05 to 0.4 ev) and a small value of the constant A (10^-9 to 10^-11 amp./cm^2 deg.^2). The logi vs. E1 / 2 curves show a slope about twice the value e3 / 2 / D1 / 2kT predicted by the simple Schottky theory, but in agreement with the theory of Baker and Boltz. It is found however that there are serious objections to this theory, and the agreement with it is probably accidental. The situation is in fact too complex to be handled by a simple theory. It is suggested that for the low potential barrier present at the metal-dielectric interface a combination of thermionic and field currents would be expected which would account qualitatively for the observed behavior.

Additional Information

© 1940 by The American Physical Society. Received May 2, 1940.

Files

LEPpr40.pdf
Files (921.4 kB)
Name Size Download all
md5:dbb4b291eb5431cc7c0cdb6e4efce6c1
921.4 kB Preview Download

Additional details

Created:
August 21, 2023
Modified:
October 16, 2023