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Carbon Nanotube Electron Sources for Electron Microscopes

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Abstract

High-quality electron sources can be made from individual multi-walled carbon nanotubes. A process was developed allowing the control over 1) the length of the fraction of the nanotube protruding from the support tip, 2) the contact length of the nanotube with the support tip, 3) the diameter of the nanotube. In addition, the cap of the nanotube was closed and the nanotube was cleaned thoroughly. The field emission model successfully describes the electron emission process of these electron sources and the work function is 5.1 eV. The emitters show a highly stable emission, as expected on account of the extremely stable structure of the carbon nanotube.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank P.A. Barendse, M. Meuwese and M. van Wely-Dieleman for experimental help, T. H. Oosterkamp, S.A.M. Mentink, G. Schwind, G. van Veen and M. v/d Zande for discussions, and A.G. Rinzler for providing the are discharge nanotube sample.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Philips Research, Prof. Holstlaan 4, 5656 AA, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Niels de Jonge, Jim T. Oostveen, Theo van Rooij, Myriam Allioux, Maya Doytcheva & Monja Kaiser

  2. Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, United Kingdom

    Kenneth B. K. Teo, Rodrigo G. Lacerda & William I. Milne

  3. ESPCI Paris, 10 Rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France

    Myriam Allioux

  4. Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, 30123-970, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Rodrigo G. Lacerda

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  1. Niels de Jonge
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  2. Jim T. Oostveen
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  9. William I. Milne
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de Jonge, N., Oostveen, J.T., van Rooij, T. et al. Carbon Nanotube Electron Sources for Electron Microscopes. MRS Online Proceedings Library 858, 295–305 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-858-HH9.1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-858-HH9.1

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