PHENOMENOLOGICAL CONSIDERATION ON THE PHOTON-ELECTRON INTERACTION IN A PLASMA
The possibility of a simple physical connection between the Richardson equation for thermionic emission and the Richardson equation for photoelectric emission was stud ed. The proposition of such a connection is based on the following supposition: that electrons are not only elements of a (Fermi-Dirac) statistical ensemble and, as such, cause thermionic phenomena; but that they can also interact with a radiation field, thereby causing an additional emission current, according to the Richardson (photoelectric) equation. lt is shown in detail that the current emitted from a metal of 2000 deg K is determined by the complete radiation of this metal only to a very slight degree. It is then estimated however, that within temperatures of some million degrees Kelvin the excitation of electrons caused by complete radiation will be much greater than that caused by interaction. (auth)