Thermal cleaning and annealing by the extracted field emission current has
been used to achieve and maintain stable emission characteristics with micr
ofabricated cold field emission cathodes. Our studies show that the cathode
tip surface can be smoothed, recrystallized, and at least partially cleane
d of surface adsorbates. The result is a significant decrease in emission c
urrent noise and recovery of the initial current-voltage characteristics of
the cathode following surface contamination. (C) 2001 American Vacuum Soci
ety.