Mechanism of field electron emission by a field cathode coated with a tunnel-thin diamond film

R. K. Yafarov

Saratov Branch, Kotel'nikov Institute of Radio-Engineering and Electronics, Russian Academy of Sciences

Abstract: The field-emission characteristics of cathode arrays based on nanocomposite diamond–graphite film structures with a reinforcing tunnel-thin diamond coating are investigated. These field emission characteristics are not related to the morphology of the emitting surface and cannot be explained in terms of the Fowler–Nordheim model. The effect of the thickness of the diamond coating on the field-emission characteristics and dielectric strength of the cathode heterostructure is determined. The obtained regularities are interpreted based on increasing transparency of potential barriers for electron tunneling due to a decrease in the mirror image forces.

Keywords: diamond-graphite nanocomposite, field emission, tunnel thin diamond film.

Received: 20.02.2020
Revised: 28.02.2020
Accepted: 03.03.2020

DOI: 10.21883/PJTF.2020.10.49432.18253

 English version: Technical Physics Letters, 2020, 46:5, 501–504

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