March 31, 1928 | By R. H. FOWLER, F.R.S., and Dr. L. NORDHEIM.
The paper by R. H. Fowler and Dr. L. Nordheim discusses the phenomenon of electron emission from cold metals under intense electric fields. The authors critique existing theories and experimental data, particularly those by Schottky, Millikan, Eyring, and Houston, and propose a new theoretical framework based on Sommerfeld's electron theory of metals. They derive a formula for the current \( I \) in terms of field strength \( F \) and temperature \( T \), showing that it is independent of temperature at low temperatures. The authors also calculate the emission coefficients for electrons of given energy in a uniform external field, using Bessel functions to solve the wave equations. They find that the emission coefficient \( D(W) \) is dominated by terms independent of \( \kappa \), leading to a simplified formula for the current. The paper concludes by comparing the theoretical results with experimental data, suggesting that Sommerfeld's theory canQuantitatively account for electron emission in intense fields.The paper by R. H. Fowler and Dr. L. Nordheim discusses the phenomenon of electron emission from cold metals under intense electric fields. The authors critique existing theories and experimental data, particularly those by Schottky, Millikan, Eyring, and Houston, and propose a new theoretical framework based on Sommerfeld's electron theory of metals. They derive a formula for the current \( I \) in terms of field strength \( F \) and temperature \( T \), showing that it is independent of temperature at low temperatures. The authors also calculate the emission coefficients for electrons of given energy in a uniform external field, using Bessel functions to solve the wave equations. They find that the emission coefficient \( D(W) \) is dominated by terms independent of \( \kappa \), leading to a simplified formula for the current. The paper concludes by comparing the theoretical results with experimental data, suggesting that Sommerfeld's theory canQuantitatively account for electron emission in intense fields.