Synthesis of GdB6 nanostructures using nanosecond (Nd: YAG) laser: Field emission investigation

We herein report field emission characteristics of GdB₆ nanostructures grown directly on a pellet via laser processing (laser fluence ~ 6 J/cm²). The laser processed GdB₆ pellet was characterized by X-ray diffraction, which revealed no change in phase upon laser processing. The values of the turn-on field required to draw emission current density of 1 μA/cm² is found to be ~ 2.95 V/μm, for the laser processed GdB₆ emitter. Furthermore, the Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) plot exhibits nonlinear behavior over the entire range of applied field and the field enhancement factor (β) calculated from slope of the F-N plot (low field region) was found to be ~ 543. The emission current stability over a period of 3h was observed to be fairly good. The observed results demonstrate that laser processing can be efficiently used to make GdB₆ nanostructure emitter having potential for practical applications.