Dynamical behavior of electron hop transport over insulating surfaces

Abstract

The dynamical behavior of electron hop transport over insulators is studied. The electron hop transport is based on a self-stabilizing secondary electron emission process. It is reported that, in the steady state, the electron–current propagation is governed by a diffusion equation. Analytical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations of this type of electron propagation are presented. In particular, the effect of the backscattering process on the hop transport properties is investigated. Finally, the results are qualitatively compared with the results of experiments.