Projects / Programmes
Electron field emission from flat nanostructured cathodes
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.09.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electronic components and technologies |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T150 |
Technological sciences |
Material technology |
flat broad area field emission cathodes, field emission, nanostructured materials
Researchers (5)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
08028 |
Miha Kocmur |
|
Technical associate |
2007 - 2009 |
15 |
| 2. |
15703 |
PhD Janez Kovač |
Electronic components and technologies |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
673 |
| 3. |
03066 |
PhD Vincenc Nemanič |
Electronic components and technologies |
Head |
2007 - 2009 |
245 |
| 4. |
20335 |
PhD Bojan Zajec |
Civil engineering |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
182 |
| 5. |
03366 |
Marko Žumer |
Electronic components and technologies |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
110 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,753 |
Abstract
We intend to study electron field emission from nanostructured flat broad area field emission cathodes. The main target is to identify individual field emission sites by complementary studies of their chemical composition, shape and other parameters influencing the emission properties. By means of our newly developed microscopic technique we are able to register the emission pattern and to determine emission current from any individual site located on the surface of 25 mm diameter cathodes. We intend to get original data on two novel types of cathodes. The first type is directly on substrate grown inorganic nanotube film synthesised at Jozef Stefan Institute. The second types are films of nanostructured carbon materials (nano-crystalline diamond and aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) films). These later types are synthesized at North Carolina State University. However, there is still significant disagreement on the origin of the field enhancement. For instance, nanocrystalline diamond films have relatively flat surfaces (AFM RMS values of 20 nm or less), yet they display field emission at applied fields of less than 2 V/µm. The geometric structure of the CNTs seems to be a natural explanation of the emission properties, but several studies suggest that a very low fraction of the tubes actually contribute to the emission. In addition to the prospect of efficient field emission, both classes of materials to be used in this research should be chemically inert and thus suitable for long term operation in high vacuum. Their application is planned to be in several “high-tech” devices, like flat electronic displays, miniature x-ray tubes, electron microscopes, mass spectrometers etc.
Significance for science
The scientific relevance of our results is evidently their publication in specialized highly ranked journals. The main message of our research is that inorganic nanowires synthesized at Jozef Stefan Institute represent an interesting group of nanostructured materials that exhibit quite intense field emission. In some aspects, they can compete with carbon nanotubes, declared as the best field emission source of electrons. Another important fact is that results represent a collaborative work between internationally recognized groups. The present project thus enabled exchange of fresh ideas. Most of results in the group were realized by equipment that was designed for specific need of the present project. It is also well known that building of such equipment is a time consuming work. Anyhow, the new instrumental methods will enable further investigation in the field of new materials with high electron emissivity. The project thus enabled to increasing the group capability for future investigations.
Significance for the country
At present, we are the only research group in Slovenia capable to perform investigation of field emission and thermionic emission from modern nanostructured materials, as described above. The three year project contributed a part of the budget that enabled activity and survival of the group. We have a good background for future scientific international cooperation as well as with the segment of Slovenian industry that sell products worldwide.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
