field emission

Meanings

nounfield emission (countable and uncountable, plural field emissions)

countableuncountablenatural sciencesThe emission of electrons from a metal or semiconductor, under the influence of a strong electric field, by quantum tunnelling.
Field emission was described for the first time at the end of the 19th century. Thorough experiments in the 1920s showed clearly that this emission occurred under high electric field and was not related to thermoelectronic emission.
2006, Annick Loiseau, Understanding Carbon Nanotubes: From Basics to Applications
Synonyms: field electron emission

nounThe emission of electrons from a metal or semiconductor, under the influence of a strong electric field, by quantum tunnelling.

Similar

field electron emission

Cite this entry

APA

field emission. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/field%20emission

MLA

“field emission.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/field%20emission. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “field emission,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/field%20emission.