The current-voltage characteristics can vary significantly between individu
al microfabricated tips in as-fabricated arrays of cold cathodes. Such emis
sion nonuniformity is undesirable in device applications. We have shown tha
t in situ tip self-heating by the emitted electron current can be used to m
ake the current-voltage characteristics of microfabricated field emitter ti
ps nearly identical to one another. The improved emission uniformity will a
llow for more reliable array operation at increased electron emission curre
nt densities. (C) 2001 American Vacuum Society.