P1–11: Nanostructured electrodes for thermo-tunnel and thermionic devices

Abstract

Low WF electrode, composed from a metal Ridged quantum well (RQW) layer and a base substrate, is proposed. The substrate material was selected so that electrons were confined to the RQW. The work function (WF) value depends on ridge geometry and electron confinement. We calculate WF in the metal RQW films grown both on a semiconductor and metal substrates. For most material pairs, the WF was reduced dramatically. Such structures, can serve as electrodes for thermionic and thermo-tunnel energy converters and coolers, operating at room temperatures.