High current field emission from ZrC with differing cone anges

摘要

We briefly report on progress in forming field emitter array (FEA) cones from zirconium carbide. The major advances are on high current emission from single carbide emitters. These unique carbide materials have electron emission properties making them attractive for several applications. These could iinclude video displays, microwave applications, high current and small sport electron sources (accelerators and FELs) and for operation at tube pressures or in poor vacuums (FEAs, vacuum detectors, neutralizing beams for ion thrusters, and charge dissipation on spacecraft).