Single mask fabrication process of vacuum microelectronics components and preliminary characterization results

In using a single mask fabrication process, our work enables the rapid prototyping of vacuum micro-components. The first prototypes, including lateral diodes and triodes, have been produced with a low-cost aluminum process, consisting of one metal layer, one lithography step and silicon micromachining. The effects of the process optimization on the characteristics will be assessed. Different configurations using more suitable field emitter materials such as tungsten will be studied in the future.