Coupled Monte Carlo density functional theory calculations of cold and laser-assisted electron field emission from graphene-coated copper cathode

Abstract

Field emission is an important process with a variety of applications. Quantitative predictions of such electron emission need to include details of the internal potentials that shape the electronic wavefunctions (and hence the tunneling probability), predictive analysis of the work function barrier (ΦB), and knowledge of the electron distribution at the surface that constitutes the supply function. Here, these various factors were all collectively considered based on a combined Monte Carlo-density functional theory approach. Results were obtained for both the field-dependent cold electron emission current density as well as photoemission from a short laser pulse. The method also allows for calculations of field-dependent emittance. The technique is general and could be extended to include plasmon–polariton modes, different thicknesses of coatings, and role of surface adsorbates and defects.