Field emission from diamond-like carbon films

A low turn-on field electron emission from diamond-like carbon films has been observed for the first time to author's knowledge. Carbon films were prepared by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition(CVD). Special pretreatment ceramic substrates were used. The characteristics of the film have been identified by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectrum. The field emission experiment has been performed in a vacuum chamber with a base pressure of about 10/sup -5/ Pa. The turn-on field of 1.2 V//spl mu/m, and the current density of 1.25 mA/cm/sup 2/ at electric field of 6 V//spl mu/m were obtained.