The electric image effects at dielectric surfaces

From the electric image theory, it can be established that any electric charge experiences a macroscopic and asymmetrical S-shaped potential when going from one dielectric into another. It is a potential well on the lower permittivity medium and a barrier on the other side of the interface. Among others, the consequences concern the trapping of charges at surfaces and interfaces of dielectrics and the charge distribution into heterogeneous dielectrics that are irradiated by electrons. These consequences also concern the secondary electron emission and photoemission from insulators and the charge transfer between two dielectrics in contact.