The Breakdown Induced by Rupture of Dielectric layer (BIRD) model: insights and future developments

It is a classical model that assumes the existence of a dielectric layer (oxides mainly) on the cathodic surface and assumes that the cold emission current is due to polarization electrons stripped from the dielectric layer. The application of this model to an experimental case has highlighted its potential to describe the start of the electric current as well as its capability to take into account the experimental random current bursts. Moreover, in the same work it has been showed that an electric current amplification factor, which depends on the voltage difference between the electrodes, is needed to fit the experimental data. In this work we want to clarify some theoretical aspects of the model in greater detail and extend its application to a wider range of experimental cases. Furthermore, it seems worthwhile to look for a quantum model that can describe the cathodic emission process from a dielectric layer. As a preliminary step we will discuss some points in order to check the consistency between classical and quantum theory.