Radiation-stimulated erosion of field electron emitters

The features of erosion of the surface of point field electron emitters bom barded by helium ions were studied. An analysis of the ion-bombardment-indu ced atomic-scale surface roughness showed evidence of a nondynamic characte r of the surface atom displacement for the primary ion energies below a thr eshold for the stable Frenkel pair formation and cathode sputtering. A quas i-static mechanism of the surface erosion is considered, according to which the process is related to the displacement of metal atoms into low-coordin ated positions upon evolution of the energy of formation of interstitial he lium atoms. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".