field emission

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the removal of electrons from a metallic conductor by a strong electric field.

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field emission British  

noun

1. the emission of electrons from a solid or liquid subjected to a high electric field

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field emission Scientific  

1. The emission of electrons from the surface of a conductor, caused by a strong electric field. Field emission is used to create electron beams in certain electron microscopes, as well as in flat-panel computer and television displays, in which the electron beams produce light by striking a phosphor-coated screen.

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Etymology

Origin of field emission

First recorded in 1925–30