Robust high current field emitter tips and arrays or vacuum microelectronics devices

摘要

We seek to identify the most promising materials and geometries for field emitter tips and arrays (FEA) in applications requiring stable high current and conductance in a moderate vacuum. Mo FEAs have been used successfully in relatively high current (50-100 mA) TWTs. But molybdenum Has some undesirable characteristics. For several years we have studied field emission from Refractory carbides, particularly ZrC, and found that ZrC surfaces have very desirable characteristics For stable high current field emission.