Ground Electrode Arc Discharge Protection in Field Emission Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional field emission devices with a triode structure face instability and potential damage due to arc discharges caused by high-voltage operations, particularly affecting the field emission emitter when the anode voltage is high, leading to dielectric breakdown and damage to electrodes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a ground electrode that is grounded to face the anode, connected to a negative power supply for the cathode and a positive power supply for the anode, with the gate electrode serving as the ground electrode to discharge electric charges from arc discharges to the ground, enhancing stability and protecting the field emission emitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If high voltage is applied to the anode to increase electron acceleration energy, then the acceleration energy of electrons is improved, but arc discharge occurs causing instability and potential damage to electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
A ground electrode is introduced as an intermediary component between the high-voltage anode and the low-voltage cathode. This ground electrode serves as a mediator to capture and discharge arc discharge charges to ground, preventing direct damage to the field emission emitter and other sensitive components while allowing high voltage operation to continue
2Reliability
If the diameter of the gate opening is reduced to prevent arc discharge, then the stability is improved, but the quantity of emitted electrons is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ground electrode acts as an intermediary that captures arc discharge charges before they can reach the gate electrode or field emission emitter. This allows the gate opening diameter to be optimized for electron emission without being constrained by arc discharge protection requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If a triode structure with gate electrode is used to independently control electron quantity and acceleration energy, then the control capability is improved, but the complexity of the device structure is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The ground electrode serves multiple functions: it provides a reference potential for voltage control, captures arc discharge charges to protect sensitive components, and maintains electrical stability during high-voltage operation. By combining these functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving both independent control capability and protection functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The configuration ensures stable operation under high-voltage conditions by discharging electric charges to the ground, preventing potential increases in the gate's voltage and thus protecting the field emission emitter from damage, thereby enhancing the overall stability of the field emission device.
Implementation Method 1
an arc discharge may occurs due to dielectric breakdown of the anode electrode 120, the gate electrode 130 or between the anode electrode 120 and the cathode electrode 110
Implementation Method 2
the ground electrode is grounded so that when an arc discharge occurs due to high voltage operation of the anode, electric charge produced by the arc discharge is emitted to a ground
Implementation Method 3
field emission devices include at least two electrodes and are configured such that a field emission emitter which is provided on a relatively-low-potential electrode (typically, a cathode) of the at least two electrodes
Implementation Method 4
electrons are emitted from a cathode 110, which has relatively low potential, and attracted to an anode 120
Implementation Method 5
Acceleration energy of electrons is determined by a potential difference between the anode 120 and the cathode 110
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a field emission device. The field emission device includes a cathode which is connected to a negative power supply and emits electrons, an anode which is connected to a positive power supply and includes a target material receiving the electrons emitted from the cathode, and a ground electrode which is formed to face the anode and has an opening through which the electrons emitted from the cathode pass. The ground electrode is grounded so that when an arc discharge occurs due to high voltage operation of the anode, electric charge produced by the arc discharge is emitted to a ground.