Patent ID: 8581469
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: H01J,H01L,H02N

Abstract:
1. A device comprising: a current source comprising a plurality of layers including a source metal and an adjacent layer, the source metal comprising a metal having a conduction band, localized states at a bottom of the conduction band, a Fermi surface and probability amplification, wherein the adjacent layer includes a forbidden energy band and the localized states of the metal align with the forbidden energy band of the adjacent layer, such that a substantial number of electrons in the localized states of the metal are energized to the Fermi surface of the metal, and energized electrons are produced above the Fermi surface; a collector comprising a metal or a doped semiconductor different from the source metal; and a load connected to the source metal and to the collector, wherein the energized electrons produce a spontaneous current by internal thermal energy in the current source in the absence of thermal energy applied to the source or to the collector, such that the current flows through the load and power is dissipated.