Low-voltage field emission from tungsten fiber arrays in a stabilized zirconia matrix

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Mat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.1987.0322· OSTI ID:6512322

Cochran, J K; Chapman, A T; Hill, D N; Lee, K J

Field emitter array cathodes were fabricated from unidirectionally solidified composites of tungsten fibers in an insulating yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ) matrix. A close-spaced molybdenum gate film (extractor) was formed utilizing e-beam evaporation of alumina as an insulator, which was overlayed by the molybdenum extractor. The high resistivity of the composite matrix coupled with the alumina insulator resulted in low leakage current and permitted dc operation of the device. Emission testing demonstrated current densities of 1--5 A/cm/sup 2/ with leakage in the ..mu..A range for applied potentials of 125--200 V. Variation of emitter tip geometries from hemispheres to right circular cylinders to pointed cones produced increases in emission consistent with reduced tip radii.

• Research Organization: School of Materials Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0245
• OSTI ID: 6512322
• Journal Information: J. Mat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Mat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 2:3; ISSN JMREE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
CATHODES
CHALCOGENIDES
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
FABRICATION
FIBERS
FIELD EMISSION
LEAKAGE CURRENT
MATERIALS
METALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TUNGSTEN
YTTERBIUM COMPOUNDS
YTTERBIUM OXIDES
ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS
ZIRCONIUM OXIDES