Field electron emission

Let's say you have a toy car and you want to make it move. You can push it with your hand or blow on it, right? But did you know that you can also make it move by using electricity?

That's what field electron emission is all about. When you pass electricity through a certain material, it can cause tiny particles called electrons to be released. These electrons are negatively charged, and when they are released, they can start moving and creating an electric current.

But how can you release these electrons? One way is by applying a strong electric field to the material. This electric field can be created by applying a voltage to a metal electrode near the material. When the voltage is high enough, it can cause the electrons to be pulled away from the material and released into the air.

This process is used in a lot of different technologies, including x-ray machines and electron microscopes. By controlling the electric field and the release of electrons, these machines can create detailed images of tiny structures.

So, think of the toy car as the material, and the voltage as your hand or your breath. When you apply the voltage, it can make the electrons move and create a current, just like your toy car moves when you push it. Cool, huh?