LOW-FIELD ELECTRON-EMISSION FROM UNDOPED NANOSTRUCTURED DIAMOND

Strong and sustained electron emission at low electric fields was obse rved in undoped, nanostructured diamond. Electron emission of 10 milli amperes per square centimeter was observed at applied fields of 3 to 5 volts per micrometer, These are the Lowest fields ever reported for a ny field-emitting material at technologically useful current densities . The emitter consists of a layer of nanometer-size diamond particulat es, which is heat-treated in a hydrogen plasma. These emission charact eristics are attributed to the particles' high defect density and the low electron affinity of the diamond surface. Such emitters are techno logically useful, because they can be easily and economically fabricat ed on large substrates.