Low-field electron emission from nano-carbons

To explain low-field electron emission from some certain carbon nanostructured materials and related phenomena we propose an empirical model based on the assumption of heterogeneity of the carbon cathode surface. An essential feature of the model is well ordered structure of the two types of carbon: graphite type material (with sp(2) bonding), which is capped with clusters having diamond type (with sp(3) bonding) electronic properties. The theoretical analysis of corresponding energy band configuration with two potential barriers on the cathode surface shows a possibility of low-voltage cold electron emission. Its originate is in resonance tunneling via local electron state in quantum well between these two barriers on the surface of the carbon emitter. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.