Cold cathodes using carbon nanotubes and nanopearls: fabrication and emission characteristics

The synthesis and field emission properties of two forms of carbon, the individual vertically aligned nanotubes and nanopearls, are presented. Carbon possesses several properties which make carbon nanotubes and nanopearls extraordinary materials for field emission. They exhibit high electrical conductivity at room temperature and can be very stable emitters even at high temperature. The huge success of carbon nanocompounds as field emitters comes from its fabrication by chemical vapour deposition technology that is not only cost-productive but can also be easily extended to mass production.