Numerical simulations of electron field emitters based on hemi-ellipsoid geometry

•The electric field behavior in hemi-ellipsoidal emitters is examined by numerical simulation.•The results of simulation using finite elements method are successfully compared with literature.•Real arrays can be simulated through a 9 × 9 matrix of emitters.

In order to evaluate the electric field associated to field emission, a computational model was elaborated to investigate hemi-ellipsoidal structures. The emitters were simulated both as 2D single structures and forming arrays, aiming to establish a relevant methodology for a more complex research.