Metallic gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) thin films were deposited on silicon nanocones (Si-NCs) by sputtering to elucidate the effects of work function and conductivities on the field electron emission characteristics of surface-modified Si-NCs. The results showed that for Pt/Si-NCs and Au/Si-NCs, although the turn-on field defined at a corresponding current density of 10 μA cm(-2) only improved from 4.20 V μm(-1) for bare Si-NCs to 3.65 and 2.90 V μm(-1), respectively, the emission current density measured at 5.00 V μm(-1) was enhanced by orders of magnitude, reaching 1.82 mA cm(-2) for Au/Si-NCs. Compared to those obtained from various surface-modified Si-nanostructures, such as ZnO/Si-nanopillars and ferroelectrics/Si-nanotips, the current results represent an interesting alternative route for producing surface-modified Si-NCs that might be useful for optical and electronic applications.

This study presents a laser-sheet imaging technique to measure the water surface of free overfalls with plunge pool. Varying the plunge pool length of a constant approach discharge created skimming, periodic oscillatory, and nappe flows. This study analyzes the resulting oscillating water surfaces and temporal variations of water stages at particular positions in the periodic oscillatory flow condition. The oscillation period and amplitude of temporal water stage variation were determined by directly measuring the time interval and water stage differences in water stage variations, respectively. The plunge pool length and air pocket characteristics seriously affected the periodic oscillatory flow. The oscillation period increased as the plunge pool length increased. On the other hand, the water stage amplitude decreased sharply when the plunge pool exceeded a specific length. The absence of an air pocket beneath the falling nappe significantly increased the oscillation period and decreased the water stage amplitude. This study investigates water surface oscillation in the plunge pool and the upstream side of the drop. However, the mean end depth of a periodic oscillatory flow with an air pocket is also applicable to discharge estimation using the end depth method.