Field Electron Emission from a Nanostructured Tungsten Surface

Abstract

In this paper, the electron emission from a nanostructured tungsten surface was investigated. A method for measuring an extremely low current (10–12 – 10–14 A) has been tested. It made possible to reduce the effect of the electric field on the sample surface and to minimize the probability of spontaneous breakdowns. For a detailed study of tungsten fuzz, a point tungsten anode (diameter 90 μm) was used. Field enhancement factor (β = 2000 – 3000) and effective emission area were calculated using the Fowler–Nordheim plots. The pre-breakdown current rise was studied. The emission current waveforms suggest the formation of several emission structures before the breakdown. © 2021 Institute of Physics Publishing. All rights reserved.