Field emission properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Field emission properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, in the form of both single tips and films, have been investigated. Nanotubes compare very favourably with other field emission sources, as they show low operating voltages and produce high current densities. Lifetimes in excess of 100 h in continuous operation at constant applied voltage were observed. Our measurements suggest that the good field emission properties are largely due to small tip size and to a non-metallic density of states at the tip.

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