Epoxylite Influece on Field Electron Emission Properties of Tungsten and Carbon Fiber Tips

Abstract

This investigation deals with the process of field electron emission from composite microemitters. Tested emitters consisted of a tungsten or carbon-fiber core, coated with a dielectric material. Two coating materials were used: (1) Clark Electromedical Instruments Epoxylite resin and (2) Epidian 6 Epoxy resin (based on bisphenol A). Various properties of these emitters were measured, including the current-voltage characteristics, which are presented as Fowler-Nordheim plots, and the corresponding electron emission images. A field electron microscope with a tip (cathode) to screen (anode) distance of 10 mm was used to electrically characterize the emitters. Measurements were carried out under ultrahigh vacuum conditions with a base pressure of 10 -6 Pascal (10 -8 mbar).