field emission
Field emission is a process where electrons are released from a material's surface when subjected to a strong electric field. This phenomenon occurs in materials with sharp tips or edges, where the electric field is concentrated. The high electric field lowers the energy barrier for electrons, allowing them to escape into the surrounding space.
This effect is commonly utilized in devices like field emission displays and scanning tunneling microscopes. In these applications, field emission enables precise control of electron flow, leading to improved performance and resolution. Understanding field emission is essential for advancing nanotechnology and electronic devices.