Das RÄtsel der Exoelektronen Historie, gegenwärtiger Stand, Lösungsvorschläge.

This paper deals with the history of exoelectron emission (EE), as well as with the experimental results and the attempts to explain them. The author concludes that thermally and optically stimulated EE (TSEE, OSEE) are different phenomena and that OSEE is mere photoeffect. The source of the energy causing the emission has been heatedly discussed. The author believes that most of the models can be ruled out by the fact that the activation energies do not depend on the nature of the metal nor on its oxide. He supposes the simplest model-direct thermal emission from surface traps-to be right. The author concludes that none of the excitation processes produces electron traps, as is often assumed. They only fill existing traps with electrons, e.g., radiation, mechanical treatment or a simple dip in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]