Electron field emission from defective diamond films deposited on chrome electrode

Deposition of the good electron-emitting diamond films on a chrome electrode, which is essential for the development of the actual display device, was successfully carried out. Emission current densities of 1 mu A/cm(2) and 1 mA/cm(2) were measured at the electric field of 6.6 and 12.3 V/mu m, respectively. The emission images revealed that the emission site density was similar to 10(4) sites/cm(2). Both Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that these were defective diamond films, similar to those deposited on silicon substrates under similar deposition conditions. Comparing the emission characteristics of the films deposited on silicon and on chrome, we conclude that the interface between the back contact and the film is not the current-limiting factor. Moreover, we discuss the importance of the inclusion of sp(2)-bonded carbons fur good electron emission. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.