Om. Kuttel et al., ELECTRON FIELD-EMISSION FROM A CESIATED NEA DIAMOND(100) SURFACE - ANACTIVATION CONCEPT, DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS, 5(6-8), 1996, pp. 807-811
Electron field emission (FE) was measured from a natural doped diamond
(100) surface prepared to show a negative electron affinity (NEA). Wh
ile the bare surface showed no FE, emission was observed from the cesi
ated surface after an activation phase. A model for FE from a cesiated
surface is presented. The assumption of activation also proved to be
a valuable concept when looking at FE from CVD films. The nature of th
is activation may consist of an increase in the emitting surface area,
which would account for the higher FE current by a breakdown between
anode and cathode. At the same time morphological changes were observe
d by AFM, perhaps showing amorphization.