Abstract
The carbon nanotube embodies a unique combination of properties which make it potentially an extraordinary field emission electron source. These properties include small tip radii (and small source size), high electrical conductivity, high melting point, and resistance to electromigration under an applied electric field. Here, carbon nanotube electron point sources are shown to be remarkably stable, with high brightness, low energy spread, and low noise. These are favorable attributes of an electron source to be used in an electron-optical system. By combining wafer-scale carbon nanotube growth technology with microfabrication techniques, it is possible to mass produce high-performance emitter arrays that can deliver high current beams at high frequencies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
F.S. Baker, A.R. Osborn, and J. Williams, Nature, 239 (1972), p. 96.
S. Ijima, Nature, 354 (1991), p. 56.
T. Utsumi, IEEE Trans. Electron Dev., 38 (1001), p. 2276.
S.T. Purcell et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 88 (2002), p. 105502.
N. de Jonge, Y. Lamy, and M. Kaiser, Nano Lett., 3 (2003), p. 1621.
M. Mann, K.B.K. Teo, and W.I. Milne, NANO: Brief Reports and Reviews, 1 (2006), p. 35.
L. Gangloff et al., Nano Lett., 4 (2004), p. 1575.
K.A. Dean and B.R. Chalamala, Appl. Phys. Lett., 76 (2001), p. 375.
V. Semet et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 81 (2002), p. 343.
N. de Jonge et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 85 (2004), p. 1607.
N. de Jonge et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 87 (2005), p. 133118.
N. de Jonge et al., Adv. Mater., 17 (2005), p. 451.
W.I. Milne et al., Diamond and Related Materials, 12 (2004), p. 422.
E. Minoux et al., Nano Lett., 5 (2005), p. 2135.
R. Martel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 87 (2001), p. 256805.
K.B.K. Teo et al., Nature, 437 (2005), p. 968.
G.Z. Yue et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 81 (2002), p. 355.
W.B. Choi et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 75 (1999), p. 3129.
W.B. Choi et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 78 (2001), p. 1547.
L. Nilsson et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 76 (2000), p. 2071.
G. Pirio et al., Nanotechnology, 13 (2001), p. 1.
K.B.K. Teo et al., Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B, 21 (2003), p. 693.
Z.F. Ren et al., Science, 282 (1998), p. 1105.
M. Chhowalla et al., Journal of Applied Physics, 90 (2001), p. 5308.
K.B.K. Teo et al., Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B, 20 (2002), p. 116.
K.B.K. Teo et al., Nanotechnology, 14 (2003), p. 204.
S.M.C. Vieira et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 89 (2006), p. 022111.
See “Black Magic” by Nanoinstruments (115c Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1XE, U.K.), www.nanoinst. com.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Author’s Note: This article is intended to be an overview of carbon nanotube electron source technology, concentrating on results by the author and his collaborators. It is not intended to be a full review of the field.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Teo, K. Carbon nanotube electron source technology. JOM 59, 29–32 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-007-0035-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-007-0035-2