A Computerized System for the Measurement of Nanomaterial Field Emission and Ionization
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Graphical Abstract
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Abstract
We have developed a computerized system for measuring field electron emission (FE) and field ionization (FI), which has a three-electrode configuration with emitters biased up to 25 kV, and is programmed by the Labview software. The current-voltage curves of nano-tip tungsten and carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays were measured. The electron emission of CNTs proceeded with a turn-on field of 1.24 and a threshold field of 1.85 . Compared to the field emission, field ionization turned on at 3.5 . Raman spectroscopy and SEM measurements showed degradation of the CNTs after FE/FI testing. The measurement of a W-tip revealed strong electron emission and instability behavior at a field strength higher than 7.0 V/μm.
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