Properties and stability of single-atom field emitters

We have successfully produced single-atom W < 111 >, HfC < 100 >, and ZrC < 100 > tips using the field-induced buildup technique. The cold field emission characteristics of these tips were studied with particular emphasis on the emission stability and the energy distribution of the emitted electrons. W < 111 > tips were the least stable. Reaction with acetylene improved the emission stability for all these tips. We observed multiple peaks in the energy distributions of emitted electrons from single-atom HfC < 100 > and ZrC < 100 > tips. The separations between the peaks are in the order of half electron volt. Possible origin of the multiple peaks is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.