Observation of field emission sites and study of heat treatment effects

Author

Takahashi, E. ; Sone, M.

Author_Institution

R&D Div., Nissin Electr. Co. Ltd., Kyoto, Japan

Volume

5

Issue

6

fYear

1998

fDate

12/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

929

Lastpage

934

Abstract

Field emission is known to play a dominant role in the electrical breakdown of gaps in vacuum. Electrons are emitted from micro-projections on clean cathode surfaces where the field strength is enhanced and the tunnel effect is observed. The location of emission sites was observed in this study by using a microchannel plate with a luminescent screen. The effects of the heat treatment on the behavior of emission sites is also discussed. A number of emission sites were observed on the cathode surface which disappeared after electron emission. Furthermore, heat treatment of electrodes decreased the number of emission sites and the number of electrons emitted from a projection. Field emission, in the region <10^-14 A, which takes place at the atomic scale, was observed on the cathode surface

Keywords

cathodes; electron field emission; heat treatment; microchannel plates; vacuum breakdown; clean cathode surfaces; electrical breakdown; field emission sites; field strength; heat treatment effects; micro-projections; microchannel plate; tunnel effect; vacuum gaps; Cathodes; Electric breakdown; Electrodes; Electron emission; Heat treatment; Microchannel; Surface cleaning; Surface treatment; Tunneling; Vacuum breakdown;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1070-9878

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/94.740778

Filename

740778