Efficient fabrication of field electron emitters from the multiwalled carbon nanotube yarns

Abstract

An efficient method has been developed to fabricate field electron emitters by cutting a continuous multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) yarn into segments. The cross section of each segment was composed of open-ended MWNTs which serve as field emitters. The emission current can reach several milliamperes, and the emitters can work stably for a long time. The excellent field emission properties are attributed to the large enhancement factor over 100 000, dense emitting centers, and the robust structure. The emitters might be easily manipulated and assembled into devices, such as electron guns, x-ray tubes, pixel tubes, etc.