Energy distribution of field emitted electrons from multiwall carbon nanotubes

Field emission from multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) bundles is measured. A n analysis between applied field and emitted electron current with the Fowl er-Nordheim plot reveals that tunnelling effect is a main cause for the ele ctron emission from MWNT. Energy distribution curves (EDC) of field emitted electrons are also measured. There are a lot of spiky electron signals in the EDC, which is indicative of sporadic electron emission from MWNT. The m ain peak in the EDC locates just below the Fermi level and it moves toward higher binding energy side in accordance with the increase of applied field .