Field emission theory

Field emission theory describes how electrons can escape from a material's surface when exposed to a very strong electric field. Normally, electrons are trapped inside atoms, but a high electric field can distort the energy barrier at the surface, making it easier for electrons to tunnel through and become free. This process doesn't require heat; instead, the intense electric field effectively "pulls" electrons out. Field emission is used in applications like electron microscopes and vacuum electronic devices, relying on the controlled release of electrons through this quantum tunneling mechanism.