Call for experimental test of a revised mathematical form for empirical field emission current-voltage characteristics

There are now good theoretical reasons to believe that experimental current-voltage (i-V) relationships for cold field electron emission (CFE) should approximately obey the empirical law i=CVκexp(−B∕V), where B, C, and κ are effectively constant, and κ≠2. Since −dlni∕d(1∕V)=(V2∕i)di∕dV=B+κV, κ for a given emission situation could be experimentally established from an appropriate data plot if sufficiently accurate current-voltage measurements were available. Knowledge of experimental κ values could lead to greater physical understanding of CFE and variations as between materials. It is strongly urged that the feasibility of measurements of this kind be carefully explored.