Improved electron emission from carbon film using a resistive layer

Field emission of electrons from carbon films deposited on n-type silicon substrate with a resistive layer was investigated by monitoring both the emission current-voltage curves and emission images as displayed by a phosphor anode. The resistive layer was found to effectively improve the emission quality by controlling the emission current and increasing the emission site density. Confinement of the emission current finally results in a uniform emission current across a large range of voltages, which is a key requirement for application to displays. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.