The Child-Langmuir law in the quantum domain

TL;DR

This paper derives a quantum version of the Child-Langmuir law for nanogaps, revealing a new scaling law for maximum current density influenced by quantum effects and verified through numerical analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum scaling law for current density in nanogaps and identifies the limiting quantum reflection mechanism, extending classical results into the quantum regime.

Findings

Quantum scaling law J_{QCL} ~ 6^{3 - 2\u03b1} V_g^1 / D^{5 - 21} with 1=5/14 in deep quantum regime

Classical Child-Langmuir law recovered at 1=3/2 when 1 independence from 6 is enforced

Numerical verification of the quantum scaling law for various nanogaps

Abstract

It is shown using dimensional analysis that the maximum current density J_{QCL} transported on application of a voltage V_g across a gap of size D follows the relation J_{QCL} ~ \hbar^{3 - 2\alpha} V_g^\alpha /D^{5 - 2\alpha}. The classical Child-Langmuir result is recovered at \alpha = 3/2 on demanding that the scaling law be independent of \hbar. For a nanogap in the deep quantum regime, additional inputs in the form of appropriate boundary conditions and the behaviour of the exchange-correlation potential show that \alpha = 5/14. This is verified numerically for several nanogaps. It is also argued that in this regime, the limiting mechanism is quantum reflection from a downhill potential due to a sharp change in slope seen by the electron on emerging through the barrier.