Thermal shock induced nanocrack as high efficiency surface conduction electron emitter

► Significant emission current enhancement has been achieved for surface conduction electron emitter, fabricated by the thermal shock process. ► The three-dimensional configuration strongly changed the electric field distribution and controlled the emission electron trajectory. ► Thermal shock treatment was used to increase the edge roughness of the nanocrack and improved the field emission characteristics. ► This nanocrack structure can be used in some advanced applications, such as molecular devices and chemical sensors.