Generalized Weisskopf‐Wigner model of triboelectroluminescence. Issue 2 (18th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lew Yan Voon, Lok C.; Hasbun, Javier E.; Willatzen, Morten; Wang, Zhong L.
• Is Part Of: EcoMat. Volume 3:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-02-18
• Subjects: contact electrification -- spontaneous emission -- two‐band tight‐binding model; Materials -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Clean energy -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/eom2.12086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2567-3173

Abstract

Abstract: The phenomenon of triboelectroluminescence is studied using a generalization of the Weisskopf‐Wigner model of spontaneous emission in an electronic two‐level system. An irreversible and exponential transfer of charge results from the model. The charge transfer between two linear atomic chains is computed as a function of the separation of the two chains and as a function of the temperature. Triboelectroluminescence due to spontaneous emission is found to be more efficient when the electron states in the two materials have a larger energy separation and decays rapidly with separation. It is insensitive to temperature variation when the electrons emanate from insulators or surface states, but not when they emanate from partially‐filled bands due to the thermal excitation of the electrons. Abstract : Electron transfer between (left) two metals and (right) a metal and an insulator. Electrons can hop between materials by spontaneous emission of photons. The positions of Fermi levels govern the occupation levels of electrons in the contacting materials.