Theoretical analysis of field emission from a metal diamond cold cathode emitter
- Physics Department, Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania 16802 (United States)
Recently, Geis {ital et al.} [J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B {bold 14}, 2060 (1996)] proposed a cold cathode emitter based on a Spindt-type design using a diamond film doped by substitutional nitrogen. The device is characterized by high field emission currents at very low power. Two properties, the rough surface of the metallic injector and the negative electron affinity of the (111) surface of the diamond are essential for its operation. We present a first consistent quantitative theory of the operation of a Geis{endash}Spindt diamond field emitter. Its essential features are predicated on nearly {ital zero-field conditions} in the diamond beyond the depletion layer, {ital quasiballistic transport} in the conduction band, and applicability of a modified {ital Fowler{endash}Nordheim equation} to the transmission of electrons through the Schottky barrier at the metal-diamond interface. Calculated results are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the experimental results of Geis {ital et al.} {copyright} {ital 1997 American Vacuum Society.}
- OSTI ID:
- 534453
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. B, Microelectronics Processing and Phenomena, Vol. 15, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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