Study of field electron emission spectral characteristics of amorphous carbon-nitride film

The study of field electron energy spectra from amorphous carbon-nitride (a -CN) films is essential to understand the mechanism of field emission from this promising material. In this work, the electron energy spectrum is stud ied by measuring the distribution of electron field emitted from individual emitting sites. The spectra are recorded at different electrical fields. I t is found that the peak shift as well as the half-width increase with incr easing applied fields. Furthermore, multi-peak features are observed at the low-energy side of the spectra. It is assumed that these peaks might origi nate from the interband states of a-CN film. We propose that although the e mission mainly originates from current injection into conduction band of a- CN film, the electrons may also be emitted from interband states. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.