Direct first-principles simulation of a high-performance electron emitter: Lithium-oxide-coated diamond surface

Journal Article · Sun Sep 28 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4896550· OSTI ID:22305720

Miyamoto, Yoshiyuki; Miyazaki, Takehide ^[1]; Takeuchi, Daisuke; Yamasaki, Satoshi ^[2]

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1. Nanosystem Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568 (Japan)
2. Energy Technology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568 (Japan)

We examined the field emission properties of lithium(Li)/oxygen(O)-co-terminated diamond (001) surface [C(001)-LiO] through real-time electron dynamics simulation under an applied field. The current emitted from this surface was found to be more than four-fold that emitted by an H-terminated (001) surface, the latter being a typical negative electron affinity system. This high performance is attributed to the Li layer, which bends the potential wall of O-induced electron pockets down in the direction of vacuum, thus facilitating electron emission. Detailed analysis of the emitted electrons and the profile of the self-consistent potential elucidated that the role of O atoms changes from an electron barrier on OH-terminated diamond surfaces to an outlet for electron emission on C(001)-LiO.

• OSTI ID: 22305720
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 116, Issue 12; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ATOMS
CARBON
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CURRENTS
DIAMONDS
ELECTRON EMISSION
ELECTRONS
FIELD EMISSION
INTERFACES
LAYERS
LITHIUM OXIDES
POTENTIALS
SURFACE COATING