Development of carbon nanotubes for vacuum electronics application

Abstract

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my PhD supervisor, Professor Tay Beng Kang. His continuous support and guidance are highly appreciated. He has groomed and trained me, not only in the area of research, but also in working well with collaborators and other important professional aspects. I have learned a lot from him throughout this PhD study. On top of that, I would like to acknowledge the financial supports on my research project from the Economic Development Board (EDB) under the project S14-1126-NRF OSTIn-SRP; and COE Research Grant under the project M4081666. At the same time, I would also like to express my gratitude to Nanyang Technology University for the kind opportunity to receive this offer of PhD study with fully-funded scholarship. I would also like to express my appreciations to my co-supervisor, Associate Professor Sheel Aditya, for his endless guidance, especially on the areas of device simulation and manuscript writing. At the same time, I would also like to thank my TAC members, Associate Professor Miao Jianmin and Associate Professor Daniel Chua and their respective students in providing their expertise guidance and support on microfabrication and field emission measurement. My gratitude also goes to the project's external collaborator, Professor Vladimir Labunov from Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, for his support on the microfabrication and Carbon Nanotubes growth. Next, I would also like to thank Professor Yan Xingbin from Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics (Chinese Academy of Science), for his support on the synthesis and fabrication of high current density Carbon Nanotubes field emitter. iv I would also like to express my gratitude to my project members, Dr Xia Xin, Dr Wang Shaomeng, and Mr Zishan Ali; and my fellow colleagues for their kind support in various aspects in my PhD research. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family in Malaysia, who constantly provide moral supports whenever I face difficulties and bottlenecks in my research life. To my late father, thank you for everything that you have given to me. You are proud of me, I know it.