(011)-ORIENTED TUNGSTEN FIELD EMITTER COATED WITH LIQUID LITHIUM THIN-FILM

Field electron emission patterns from a [011]-oriented tungsten tip co ated with liquid lithium film were observed. For the film thickness be tween 5 and 30 nm, emission patterns showed the formation of liquid li thium cones on the facets of the tungsten surface. The Fowler-Nordheim plots showed the presence of the space charge effect. The increase of the number of liquid cones with tip voltage was qualitatively explain ed in terms of the space charge effect. For the film thickness more th an 30 nm, only pulsed explosive emission was observed.