Modeling of thermofield electron emission from the cathode with a thin insulating film on the surface in gas discharge plasma

High Temperature Material Processes. 2022. Vol. 26. No. 1. P. 17–32.

Bondarenko G.G., Fisher M. R., Kristya V. I., Bondariev V.

A model of thermofield electron emission from the metal cathode with a thin insulating film on the
surface in gas discharge is developed. It describes the tunneling of electrons from the cathode substrate
into the film, their motion in it, and their going out into the discharge volume. Expressions for the
film emission efficiency and emission current density from the cathode are obtained, which are correct
in wide ranges of variation of the cathode temperature and the electric field strength in the film. In
limiting cases of low temperature and strong electric field in the film, and also high temperature and
weak electric field in the film, the results agree with those obtained from the corresponding analytical
formulas. The model can be used for simulation of different gas discharge modes under the existence of
thin insulating films on the cathode.

Keywords: поверхность, surface, cathode, катод, electron emission, электронная эмиссия