Investigation of the electron emission from pores in a diamond porous membrane

It was previously proposed that porous diamond membranes can be used as held emission arrays. As main features of such a device, we identified a field enhancement factor equivalent or superior to that of a metal edge emitter, allied to a higher vacuum conductance. Emitting membrane prototypes were built and tested. These showed promising emission performance. In this work we continue the membrane pore characterization from a geometric point of view. Pie also present photoemission electron microscopy images from the emitting area around a pore. These images show that indeed there is enhanced electron emission occurring in that region. Current versus time and current versus field graphs complete the emission characterization. (C) 2000 American Vacuum Society. [S0734-211X(00)00105-0].