Analytical proof of Schottky Conjecture for multi-stage field emitters

Abstract

Schottky Conjecture is analytically proved for multi-stage field emitters consisting on the superposition of rectangular or trapezoidal protrusions on a line under some specific limit. The case in which a triangular protrusion is present on the top of each emitter is also considered as an extension of the model. The results presented here are obtained via Schwarz-Christoffel conformal mapping and reinforce the validity of Schottky Conjecture when each protrusion is much larger than the ones above it, even when an arbitrary number of stages is considered. Moreover, it is showed that it is not necessary to require self-similarity between each of the stages in order to ensure the validity of the conjecture under the appropriate limits.