Paper detail

The Child-Langmuir law in the quantum domain

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 - 2α} V_g^α/D^{5 - 2α}. The classical Child-Langmuir result is recovered at α= 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 α= 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.