The Formation of Field-Induced Emission Structures on the Nanostructured Tungsten Surface

The tungsten surface coated with nano fuzz subjected by an electrical field was investigated. To measure the field emission properties of the non-excited tungsten, surface the extremely low current measurement procedure was developed. Point anode was used, with an electrode gap about 0.4 – 0.8 mm. The slow rising of the electrical field in some cases led to avalanche-like emission current amplification that in turn led to the breakdown. The current amplification waveforms suggest that emission structures are formed on the cathode surface. The field-induced emission structures time was in the range of 10-100Ps. The emission pictures on a phosphor screen and emission current waveforms suggest that during avalanche-like emission current rise several emission structures could be formed.