A theoretical model of electron emission from amorphous carbon nitride films

We propose a model of field electron emission from amorphous carbon nitride films. The model is based on a semi-empirical electronic structure calcula tion and standard formulae for emission from semiconductors, appropriately modified. According to this model, emission occurs at protrusions of the fi lm surface. Most of the emitted electrons come fi om the gap states not the conduction band. The model reproduces reasonably well the observed variati on of the emitted current with the electric field and with the nitrogen con centration. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved .