Investigation of the current level instability of the multitip field emitters with computerized field emission projector

Abstract

This work represents a new approach for analyzing emission characteristics of multitip field cathodes. The approach is based on using a computerized field emission projector to investigate the behavior of the microscopic emission sites of the field cathode surface. Adsorption-desorption processes on the surface—which influence the emission current level—were investigated by tracking the individual emission sites under conditions of a sharp decrease and increase in the voltage level. An analysis of the transient process showed that emission sites with highest local currents almost do not participate in changing the overall level of emission current, but they became smaller with a decrease in the step voltage contribution of the dimmest sites. Similar dependences were obtained for rising voltage levels but with much faster transitions.