A new surface electron-emission mechanism in diamond cathodes

• Published in: Nature (London) Vol. 393; no. 6684; pp. 431 - 435
• Main Authors: Geis, M. W, Efremow, N. N, Krohn, K. E, Twichell, J. C, Lyszczarz, T. M, Kalish, R, Greer, J. A, Tabat, M. D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing 04.06.1998; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cathodes; Diamonds; Electronics; Electrons; Emissions; Exact sciences and technology; Field emitter and arrays, cold electron emitters; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Vacuum microelectronics; Fowler-Nordheim theory; Field emitter; Semiconductor materials; Negative electron affinity; Tunnel effect; Diamond; Field emission; Solid vacuum interface; Electron emission; Experimental study; Mechanism

An electron-emission mechanism for cold cathodes is described based on the enhancement of electric fields at metal-diamond-vacuum triple junctions. Unlike conventional mechanisms, in which electrons tunnel from a metal or semiconductor directly into vacuum, the electrons here tunnel from a metal int...