Fabrication and characterization of non-planar high-current-density carbon-nanotube coated cold cathodes

Carbon-nanotube coated non-planar cold cathodes emit electrons of high current densities at low applied electric fields. Multiple-wall carbon nanotubes were chemically vapor grown inside while pre-synthesized single-wall carbon nanotubes were used to fill holes drilled into electrically conductive electrodes. Thermal chemical vapor deposition was carried out in mixtures of argon and acetylene using iron as the catalyst for the growth of carbon nanotubes. These non-planar cold cathodes emit electrons of high current density at low electric fields. Electron field emission current density approximately 700 mA/cm² at 2.75 V/μm was measured.