Field emission from carbon nanotubes and its application to cathode ray tube lighting elements

Field emission from an individual multiwall nanotube and a bundle of single-wall nanotubes was investigated using a field emission microscope with a probe hole. Measured current–voltage characteristics followed the Fowler–Nordheim equation at low current density, whereas at higher current the increase in current became dull and deviated from the F–N line. As an application of nanotube field emitters, we manufactured the lighting elements of a triode vacuum tube by replacing conventional thermionic cathodes with multiwall nanotube field emitters. Stable electron emission, adequate luminance, and long life of the emitters were demonstrated. q1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved