Thermionic and field electron emission devices from diamond and carbon nanostructures
Contributors: Robert J. Nemanich, Griff L Bilbro, Eugene N. Bryan, Franz A. Koeck, Joshua R. Smith, and Yingjie Tang
ABSTRACT
Electron emission from carbon materials has been based on two effects: field enhancement from conducting nanostructures and barrier lowering due to the negative electron affinity of diamond surfaces. Moreover, n-type doping with P and N can enable a low work function. This presentation details the significant scientific issues related to thermionic and field electron emission and describes potential applications ranging from energy conversion, sensors, high power electronics, and nano electronics and photonics.