This paper considers the theory of electron field emission from nanoscale emitters with particular focus on thermal and electrical energy transport. The foundational theory of field emission is explored, and a model is presented that accounts explicitly for the energy band curvature produced by nanoscale tip emitters. The results indicate that the inclusion of band curvature strongly influences the energetic distribution of electrons for emitter radii less than 50 nm. The energy exchange process between emitted and replacement electrons is shown to allow high local energy transfer rates that can be exploited in direct thermal-to-electrical energy conversion processes. The dependence of energy conversion rates on material and operational parameters is demonstrated. Throughout the paper, opportunities for further research involving nanoscale heat transfer, materials development, and modeling are highlighted.
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Technical Papers
Thermal and Electrical Energy Transport and Conversion in Nanoscale Electron Field Emission Processes
T. S. Fisher,
e-mail: tsfisher@purdue.edu
T. S. Fisher
Purdue University, School of Mechanical Engineering, 1288 Mechanical Engineering Building, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1288
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D. G. Walker
D. G. Walker
Vanderbilt University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Box 1592, Station B, Nashville, TN 37235
Search for other works by this author on:
T. S. Fisher
Purdue University, School of Mechanical Engineering, 1288 Mechanical Engineering Building, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1288
e-mail: tsfisher@purdue.edu
D. G. Walker
Vanderbilt University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Box 1592, Station B, Nashville, TN 37235
Contributed by the Heat Transfer Division for publication in the JOURNAL OF HEAT TRANSFER. Manuscript received by the Heat Transfer Division May 2, 2001; revision received November 5, 2001. Associate Editor: A. Majumdar.
J. Heat Transfer. Oct 2002, 124(5): 954-962 (9 pages)
Published Online: September 11, 2002
Article history
Received:
May 2, 2001
Revised:
November 5, 2001
Online:
September 11, 2002
Citation
Fisher, T. S., and Walker, D. G. (September 11, 2002). "Thermal and Electrical Energy Transport and Conversion in Nanoscale Electron Field Emission Processes ." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. October 2002; 124(5): 954–962. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1494091
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