Research on intense pulsed emission of screen-printed carbon nanotube cathode

Abstract

A high-intensity cold cathode based on field emission from multi-walled carbon nanotubes was fabricated by screen-printing. The high intensity was obtained when the cathode was subjected to a pulsed electric field. The emission properties of the cathode were investigated in both single-pulse and double-pulse mode experiments. Emission photos of the cathode surface were investigated, and the pulsed emission mechanism of the carbon nanotube was explosive electron emission. In the single-pulse mode, the field emission current density is 99 A/cm2 at an applied electric field of 16.7 V/μm. In the double-pulse mode, the emission current density can reach 267 A/cm2 at an applied electric field of 15.4 V/μm. This carbon nanotube cathode appears to be suitable for high-power microwave device applications.