The electron field emission characteristics of individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes were investigated by a piezoelectric nanomanipulation system operating inside a scanning electron microscopy chamber. The experimental set-up ensures a precise evaluation of the geometric parameters (multiwalled carbon nanotube length and diameter and anode–cathode separation) of the field emission system. For several multiwalled carbon nanotubes, reproducible and quite stable emission current behaviour was obtained, with a dependence on the applied voltage well described by a series resistance modified Fowler–Nordheim model. A turn-on field of ~30 V µm−1 and a field enhancement factor of around 100 at a cathode–anode distance of the order of 1 µm were evaluated. Finally, the effect of selective electron beam irradiation on the nanotube field emission capabilities was extensively investigated.
Field emission from a selected multiwall carbon nanotube
DI BARTOLOMEO, Antonio;CUCOLO, Anna Maria
2008
Abstract
The electron field emission characteristics of individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes were investigated by a piezoelectric nanomanipulation system operating inside a scanning electron microscopy chamber. The experimental set-up ensures a precise evaluation of the geometric parameters (multiwalled carbon nanotube length and diameter and anode–cathode separation) of the field emission system. For several multiwalled carbon nanotubes, reproducible and quite stable emission current behaviour was obtained, with a dependence on the applied voltage well described by a series resistance modified Fowler–Nordheim model. A turn-on field of ~30 V µm−1 and a field enhancement factor of around 100 at a cathode–anode distance of the order of 1 µm were evaluated. Finally, the effect of selective electron beam irradiation on the nanotube field emission capabilities was extensively investigated.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
