Velocity Distribution of Electrons Escaping from a Potential Well

Abstract

Electron escape over a one-dimensional potential barrier is treated with a Monte Carlo method that incorporates simple models for the electron-phonon interaction. The consequences of these models are considered here through the calculation of the escaping electron velocity distribution and the electron energy distribution before escape. Effective temperatures are derived from both distributions. The numerical results are compared with those from the classical model of thermionic emission.