Field emission performances of CNTs bundles array

The field emission performances of normal-gate cold cathode, which is composed of different multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) bundles array are calculated. The device parameters such as the arrangement of bundles, array density, gate location, gate voltage, anode voltages and anode–cathode distance affect the field emission properties, which is discussed in detail. The results reveal that the hexagon bundles array needs a lower threshold voltage than square array to reach high field enhancement factor and large emission current density. The emission current density is two orders larger than that of the oxide emitter. The optimal bundles array densities of hexagon and square array to get field enhancement factor are 0.0063 and 0.00375 μm−2, respectively. Meanwhile, the field emission performances are impacted critically by gate location and gate voltage. Field emission properties changed little while the anode–cathode distance varies within tens of micrometers, which increases the process-friendliness of CNTs field emission devices.