Application of single-walled carbon nanotube body to unique emitter: a first-principles study

The field emission characteristics of the body for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are investigated by use of the first-principles calculations. We find that field emission property, chemical stability and binding energy of the tube body with the practical diameter are less sensitive to the tube diameter, morphology, and conductive characteristic, and conclude the emission features of the body film: consistence in emission sites, uniformity in emission energy distribution, predictability in emission effects and high emission stability, which are similar to those of graphite sheet or diamond film. These unique features guarantee the tube body to be applicable to flat panel displays with the same picture quality, cylindrical cathode and linear emitter.