FIELD-EMISSION FROM DIAMOND-COATED MOLYBDENUM FIELD EMITTERS

Diamond deposition onto single Mo field emitters was accomplished by t wo methods: microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition and a dielectro phoresis of diamond powder. Observation by transmission electron micro scopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed a significant amount o f deposition at the tips. The field emission characteristics were meas ured before and after diamond deposition on the same emitters. Field e mission from diamond coated emitters yielded significant increases in emission current and lower Fowler-Nordheim slopes. We discuss a possib le mechanism to explain current enhancement that depends primarily upo n the Mo-diamond interface. (C) 1996 American Vacuum Society.