Quantum interference in a vacuum nanotriode

The current-voltage and noise characteristics of vacuum nanoelectronic devi ces, including nanoscale field-emission diodes and vacuum nanotriodes, are presented. The turn-on voltage for field emission in these devices is about 8 V, independent of ambient temperature, and currents of up to 10 nA are o btained. Time-independent fluctuations are observed in the current-voltage characteristics of the vacuum nanoelectronic devices that persist down to 2 0 K. In the case of the nanotriode, these fluctuations are repeatable in di fferent sweeps performed both at the same and at different temperatures. Th ese measurements, coupled with a model of the nanotriode, which includes an analysis of the electrostatic field within the nanochamber, the electron t rajectories, and the role of field-emission resonances, suggest that the or igin of the time-independent fluctuations is a quantum-interference effect between the electron wave function in the tip of the nanopillar field emitt er and the anode. (C) 2000 American Vacuum Society. [S0734-211X(00)03106-1] .