Extremely low threshold of field emission from graphene nanoclusters

Abstract

Carbon nano-cluster cathodes exhibit a low threshold electron emission, which is 2-3 orders lower than on metals and semiconductors. We confirm the effect by direct experiments with graphene structures. We are suggesting the model based on interference electrons wave function in 2D-space charge region of carbon and Tamm's surface states of dangling bonds. This barrier is transparent for electrons at Fermi level due to the resonance.