Diamond PN/PIN Diode Type Electron Emitter with Negative Electron Affinity and Its Potential for the High Voltage Vacuum Power Switch

Abstract

This chapter reviews the electron emission properties of hydrogen terminated diamond surfaces with a "true" negative electron affinity (NEA), and presents the recent development of electron emitters based on diamond PN and PIN junctions, that could apply to a high voltage vacuum power switch. The background to this topic, including the emission mechanism with free excitons, and carrier injection with a hopping conduction, is also introduced.