Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Mutual Space-Charge Effect between Planar Field Emitters

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations, with full Coulomb interaction and self-consistent field emission, are used to examine mutual space-charge interactions between beams originating from several emitter areas, in a planar infinite diode. The simulations allow observation of the trajectory of each individual electron through the diode gap. Results show that when the center-to-center spacing between emitters is greater than half of the gap spacing the emitters are essentially independent. For smaller spacing the mutual space-charge effect increases rapidly and should not be discounted. A simple qualitative explanation for this effect is given.

arXiv comment8 pages, 9 figures

References in corpus (6)

• Space Charge Effects in Field Emission: One Dimensional Theory
• Physical electrostatics of small field emitter arrays/clusters
• Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Field Emission From a Planar Nanodiode
• Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Field Emission From a Prolate Spheroidal Tip
• Physics-based derivation of a formula for the mutual depolarization of two post-like field emitters
• Synchronization in arrays of vacuum microdiodes

Cited by in corpus (3)

• Space-charge effects in the field-assisted thermionic emission from nonuniform cathodes
• Dynamics of a Field Emitted Beam from a Microscopic Inhomogeneous Cathode
• Simulation of short pulse photoemission in a micro-diode with implications for optimal beam brightness