Quasistationary states of a relativistic field-emission-limited diode employing a high-transparency mesh anode

Abstract

A relativistic field-emission-limited diode employing a high-transparency mesh anode is investigated via a self-consistent approach. The field emission process is described quantum mechanically by the Fowler-Nordheim equation. The cathode plasma and surface properties are considered within the framework of the effective work function approximation. Space-charge effects are described by Poisson's equation including relativistic effects. Ionization effects at the high-transparency mesh anode are ignored. The numerical calculations are carried out on a time scale much shorter than the emergence of the gap closure. The quasistationary state of the diode exhibits a cutoff voltage. The electric field on the cathode surface is found to be saturated in the high-voltage regime and determined by the effective work function only. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.