Title: Techniques for optimizing nanotips derived from frozen taylor cones

Abstract

Optimization techniques are disclosed for producing sharp and stable tips/nanotips relying on liquid Taylor cones created from electrically conductive materials with high melting points. A wire substrate of such a material with a preform end in the shape of a regular or concave cone, is first melted with a focused laser beam. Under the influence of a high positive potential, a Taylor cone in a liquid/molten state is formed at that end. The cone is then quenched upon cessation of the laser power, thus freezing the Taylor cone. The tip of the frozen Taylor cone is reheated by the laser to allow its precise localized melting and shaping. Tips thus obtained yield desirable end-forms suitable as electron field emission sources for a variety of applications. In-situ regeneration of the tip is readily accomplished. These tips can also be employed as regenerable bright ion sources using field ionization/desorption of introduced chemical species.

Inventors:

Hirsch, Gregory

Issue Date:

2017-12-05

Research Org.:

Hirsch Scientific, Pacifica, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1411394

Patent Number(s):

9837239

Application Number:

15/361,911

Assignee:

Hirsch, Gregory

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B21 - MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL B21C - MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING

C - CHEMISTRY C23 - COATING METALLIC MATERIAL C23C - COATING METALLIC MATERIAL

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B21 - MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL B21C - MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING

B21C1/16 - Metal drawing by machines or apparatus in which the drawing action is effected by other means than drums, e.g. by a longitudinally-moved carriage pulling or pushing the work or stock for making metal sheets, bars, or tubes

C - CHEMISTRY C23 - COATING METALLIC MATERIAL C23C - COATING METALLIC MATERIAL

C23C14/16 - on metallic substrates or on substrates of boron or silicon
C23C14/24 - Vacuum evaporation
C23C14/5806 - {Thermal treatment}

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25D - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS

C25D17/00 - Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells for electrolytic coating
C25D3/50 - of platinum group metals
C25D5/50 - by heat-treatment

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01J - ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS

H01J1/3044 - {Point emitters}
H01J2201/30411 - conical shaped, e.g. Spindt type
H01J2209/0226 - Sharpening or resharpening of emitting point or edge
H01J2237/0802 - Field ionization sources
H01J2237/0805 - Liquid metal sources
H01J2237/0807 - Gas field ion sources [GFIS]
H01J37/073 - Electron guns using field emission, photo emission, or secondary emission electron sources
H01J37/08 - Ion sources
H01J37/3178 - {for applying thin layers on objects}
H01J9/025 - {of field emission cathodes}

H - ELECTRICITY H05 - ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR H05G - X-RAY TECHNIQUE

H05G2/005 - {containing a metal as principal radiation generating component}

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DOE Contract Number:  

SC0011345

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2016 Nov 28

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE