Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Analysis of two models for metal hot-electron power generation

  • Published:
Science China Technological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hot electron emission means that electrons move over potential barriers to come out of the metal when the metal is being heated. Obviously, voltage will generate between electrons and the metal. Based on this, the model of metal hot-electron power generation is built. Free electron model of Sommerfeld is used to describe the movement of electrons in metal. According to the different width of potential barriers, two models are built. One assumes that electrons move from one metal to another mainly by moving over the potential barrier as the barrier is wide enough. The other assumes that the potential barrier is so narrow that electrons mainly move through the potential barrier by tunnel effect. The first model is analyzed and proved strictly, including the building of model, the calculation of open-circuit voltage and the drawing of volt-ampere characteristic curve. The second model is analysed simply. This paper shows that power generation by metal hot-electron is possible based on the theory and can provide reference for researching in power generation of metal hot-electron.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhu J G, Zheng W C, Zhen G G, et al. Solid State Physics (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 2005. 106–112

    Google Scholar 

  2. Cao Q X, Lei T M, Huang Y X, et al. The Basis of Solid State Physics (in Chinese). Xi’an: Xidian University Press, 2008. 160–166

    Google Scholar 

  3. Zhang X W. Quantum Statistical Mechanics (in Chinese). 2nd ed. Beijing: Science Press, 2008. 99–105

    Google Scholar 

  4. Zhang Y D. Quantum Mechanics (in Chinese). 2nd ed. Beijing: Science Press, 2008. 18–19

    Google Scholar 

  5. Tang J Y, Liu K L, Wang K Y. Physical Basis for Electrical Engineering (in Chinese). Beijing: Publishing House of Electronics Industry, 2002. 17–19

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Electonic Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China

    GuangChong Shen

Authors
  1. GuangChong Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to GuangChong Shen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shen, G. Analysis of two models for metal hot-electron power generation. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 54, 1435–1438 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-011-4377-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-011-4377-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation