Field-induced redistribution and diffusion of water on a Pt field emitter

The field effect on water condensate on the surface of a Pt field emitter was observed. Raising the electric field caused an unusual increase of field emission, which could be due to a decrease of work function on a highly emitting region of the emitter. It seems that the cause was mainly the removal of water adsorbate from the area. The diffusion of a thick water layer on the Pt emitter was examined in the temperature range 115–135 K during the transition process from the state of the field-induced redistribution of water to the thermal equilibrium state. The activation energy for diffusion is estimated to be within the range 21–27 kJ/mol.