Transfer-matrix and Green-function quantum-mechanical theory of electronicfield emission applied to the simulation of diffraction by a carbon fiber in the Fresnel projection microscope

Field emission is described in the framework of both transfer-matrix and Gr een-function formalisms. The transfer-matrix methodology is used to compute the scattering in the diffuser and the Green-function formalism to propaga te the scattered wave function. The computation procedure takes advantage o f the presence of an n-fold symmetry axis. The method is applied to simulat e electronic field emission from a nanotip and the beam diffraction by a ca rbon fiber in the Fresnel projection microscope. The influence of the volta ge and tip-sample distance on the diffraction is studied. The simulations c onfirm the existence of Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, that appear in good agreement with the criteria derived from two-dimensional models. A res ult reveals the fact that the interaction between the parts of the beam tra veling, respectively, through and beside the fiber can shape the diffractio n figure in a way not accounted for by simplified models. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.