METHOD FOR REPRODUCIBLY FABRICATING AND USING STABLE THERMAL-FIELD EMISSION CATHODES

摘要

Methods are disclosed for reproducibly fabricating and using 100 thermal-field built-up field emission cathodes through the selective thermal elimination of contaminants and preservation of specific surface oxides in conjunction with the application of an E-field to promote faceting of certain planes while discouraging faceting of the [100] planes. An example in which 100 oriented tungsten wire is used as a starting material is treated comprehensively.