Field emission characteristics and analysis of chargé flow through graphite based cathodes

Abstract

This paper studies the performance of different types of graphite cathodes when operated as field emission electron sources. The tested cathodes were prepared in the form of bulk polymer graphite, bulk pure graphite, and polymer graphite coated with thin layer of insulating material (epoxy resin). The obtained results include X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, scanning electron micrographs, the field emission microscope patterns and current-voltage characteristics, and the orthodoxy test analysis results. The importance of this study is summarized in following the pursuit of finding cheap and green electron sources. Moreover, to present a new exotic field emission behavior in the form of emission pulses.