High emission current density, vertically aligned carbon nanotube mesh, field emitter array

Abstract

A vertically aligned carbon nanotube mesh emitter array has been fabricated and tested, giving a current density of up to 1.5 A/cm2, and a threshold field of 1.5 V/μm for a current density 1 mA/cm2. Low temperature carbon nanotube growth is used to fabricate the carbon nanotube mesh emitter arrays significantly reducing the cost of the fabrication of large area electron emitters. This system exhibits ultralong lifetime.

Laser Patterning of Carbon-Nanotubes Thin Films and Their Applications

“…The most commonly-used methods include CVD, electrophoresis deposition and screen printing, and each method has its advantages and disadvantages. CNT films produced by CVD [35][36][37][38]66 and electrophoresis deposition [67][68][69] have been described previously in Section 3. The screen printing method has CNTs mixed with paste and squeezed onto metal meshes to pattern on the substrate [70][71][72][73][74] .…”

Highly enhanced and temporally stable field emission from MWCNTs grown on aluminum coated silicon substrate

“…24 Similar stability tests were also reported for other CNT morphologies. 23 In the present work, field emission current density and its temporal stability of MWCNT films grown on 40 nm thick Al interlayer are reported and compared with MWCNTs grown on bare Si. The current density (J) versus electric field (E) measurements were carried out up to a maximum E value of ∼5 V/µm for 5 cycles and all other field emission parameters of CNTs with and without interlayered Al are reported.…”

“…The challenge is to develop field emitters having high current density, low turn-on and threshold fields, high field enhancement and good temporal stability. There are several reports indicating enhanced field emission properties of CNTs like (i) vertical arrays of CNT by pattern transfer, (iii) vertically aligned CNT mesh, 23 CNT carpet 24 etc. Another approach to improve FE properties is by decoration of CNTs apex by low work function materials 25 and introduction of various interlayers such as, Cr, W, Ti, Al, Au, Pd, Pt and Cu.…”

“…Better temporal stability at relatively higher current and longer duration was reported in the case CNTs having various morphologies like honey comb configuration, CNT carpet etc. 23,24 The improvement in temporal stability is also indicated in CNTs with various over layers, and nanoparticle decoration, like Ru, LaB 6 , CeB 6 , SrTiO 3 etc. 21,[38][39][40] at relatively lower current densities (∼ 1 mA/cm 2 or less).…”

A vacuum sealed high emission current and transmission efficiency carbon nanotube triode

“…1-6 Among the earlier field emitters based on etched metal or semiconductor needles, such as molybdenum and tungsten, Spindt silicon arrays, etc., CNTs have attracted great interest for their potential applications for field emission (FE) electron sources in recent years. [7][8][9][10] Electron field emission from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been studied about 25 years. Also, screen printed CNTs fabrication process is well known.…”