Relativistic effects in electrostatic double layers

Relativistic effects must be taken into account in calculating the structure of double layers when the potential difference is sufficiently high. In relativistic double layers both ions and electrons are accelerated up to relativistic energies and their dynamics are consequently modified, whereas in the semirelativistic case only the electron motion is significantly affected. Relationships were derived between double layer parameters including the effects of relativistic dynamics. For nonzero injection velocities, a separate relation is found between the double layer potential and the boundary parameters. An approximate expression is found for the dependence of the potential difference on the current and thickness of a semirelativistic double layer.