Device and method for work function reduction and thermionic energy conversion
AssigneeKoucheng Wu
InventorKoucheng Wu
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Abstract
A quantum wire device includes a barrier formed by an insulator or a wide bandgap semiconductor, and metal quantum wires comprising a metal material and embedded in the barrier. Potential wells are formed for electrons in the metal quantum wires by the insulator or the wide bandgap semiconductor. The work function of the metal quantum wires is reduced by quantum confinement compared to a bulk form of the metal material. The metal quantum wires are electrically connected. The metal quantum wires include an exposed active area for electron emission or electron collection.
Claims20
A quantum wire device, comprising:
- a barrier formed by an insulator or a wide bandgap semiconductor;
- and
- a plurality of metal quantum wires comprising a metal material and embedded in the barrier, wherein potential wells are formed for electrons in the metal quantum wires by the insulator or the wide bandgap semiconductor, wherein work function of the metal quantum wires is reduced by quantum confinement compared to a bulk form of the metal material,
- wherein the plurality of metal quantum wires are electrically connected,
- wherein the plurality of metal quantum wires include an exposed active area for electron emission or electron collection.
A thermionic energy converter, comprising:
- an emitter electrode;
- a collector electrode, wherein at least one of the emitter electrode or the collector electrode comprises:
- a barrier;
- metal quantum wires comprising a metal material embedded in the barrier, wherein the barrier forms potential wells for electrons in the metal quantum wires, wherein the metal quantum wires are electrically connected, wherein the metal quantum wires include an exposed active area for electron emission or electron collection;
- and
- an electric circuit electrically connected the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, wherein the electric circuit is configured to conduct an electron current from the collector electrode to the emitter electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.