A MATHEMATICAL-MODEL TO PREDICT OPTIMUM GEOMETRY OF THE ELEMENTS OF A FIELD EMITTER ARRAY CATHODE

Calculations have been made that simulate the effects of device geometry on the electron emission performance of a family of composite-based field emitter array cathodes. These emitters, made by thin-film techniques from unidirectionally-solidified oxide-metal composites, contain arrays of pointed fibers centered in the apertures of a gate film. The effects on emission and electron trajectories of variables such as emitter pin tip radius, pin cone angle, gate film thickness, and pin position relative to the gate film were modeled.