Photon induced enhanced field electron emission collector

摘要

An electromagnetic energy collector and sensor use enhanced fields to emit electrons for energy collection. The collector and sensor collect energy from visible light, infrared radiation and ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation. The collector and sensor include a waveguide with a geometry selected to enhance the electric field along a conductor to create a high, localized electric field, which causes electron emission across a gap to a return plane.

主权项

1. A device for collecting electromagnetic energy, comprising:
an anode; and at least one waveguide spaced apart from said anode, said at least one waveguide comprising a first end and a second end, said first end having a first cross-sectional dimension and said second end having a second cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than said first cross-sectional dimensional, said at least one waveguide having at least one other cross-sectional dimension that is between said first cross-sectional dimension and said second cross-sectional dimension, which other cross-sectional dimension corresponds to a wavelength of electromagnetic energy, wherein said at least one waveguide is adapted to (i) capture and enhance an electric field from said electromagnetic energy to create a high, localized electric field, and (ii) interact said electromagnetic energy with an inner surface of the at least one waveguide to generate an emission of electrons to said anode.