Thermal field emission between nanogap

Thermionic conversion is a power generation method collects the emitted electrons by giving a temperature difference the electrodes. Normally, thermionic conversion requires a high temperature of 1000 ° C or more. However, by shortening the gap between the electrodes to nano size, electron emission between the electrodes is enhanced, and the applicable temperature range can be extended to around room temperature. However, there is no example that electricity was actually generated near room temperature. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the temperature dependence of the electron emission between nano-gap fabricated by silicon cleavage fracture, and to verify the possibility of thermionic power generation near room temperature.

[Applications]

• Thermionic conversion device
• Electronic cooling device