Electron emission from arrays of carbon nanotubes/fibres

Abstract The overall aim of this work is to produce arrays of field emitting microguns, based on carbon nanotubes, which can be utilised in the manufacture of large area field emitting displays, parallel e-beam lithography systems and electron sources for high frequency amplifiers. This paper will describe the work carried out to produce patterned arrays of aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using a dc plasma technique and a Ni catalyst. We will discuss how the density of the carbon nanotube/fibres can be varied by reducing the deposition yield through nickel interaction with a diffusion layer or by direct lithographic patterning of the Ni catalyst to precisely define the position of each nanotube/fibre. Details of the field emission behaviour of the different arrays of MWCNTS will also be presented.