A platform to optimize the field emission properties of carbon-nanotube-based fibers

Building on recent efforts [1-4] to characterize carbon nanotube fibers (CNFs) and electron emission [5,6] suitable for compact, high power, high frequency, vacuum electronic devices, this paper describes a proposed exhaustive approach towards optimizing CNF field emission (FE) properties. It outlines how a platform geared towards meaningful comparisons between different CNF-based emitters can be developed. The platform envisages an iterative procedure involving (a) the growth, processing, and functionalization of CNFs, (b) full investigation of the CNF material properties before and after FE diagnosis, and (c) multi-scale modeling of FE properties, including self-heating, shielding effects and beam characteristics in the CNFs and in the emitting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) at the fiber apexes. The modeling would be applicable to a wide variety of CNFs and wire-like sources, and would provide essential feedback to the growth, processing, and functionalization of CNFs, in order to optimize their FE properties (especially long-term stability, low noise, and maximum emission current, current density and brightness.