Enhanced and stable electron emission of carbon nanotube emitters with graphitization

The effect of graphite coating on carbon nanotube (CNT) emitter arrays on field emission grown using the resist-assisted patterning (RAP) process was studied. It was found that the electron emission current and the stability of the emission current of graphite-coated CNT emitters were remarkably improved. The enhancement of the electron emission of CNT emitters after graphite coating appears to be due to the effect of graphitization between CNT emitters and the substrate. This graphitization process reduced the field-screening effect, since it unified several grown CNTs as one single emitter and improved adhesion between CNT emitters and the substrate.