Fowler-Nordheim Slope Dependence on Pressure in Controlled Poor Vacuum

We present the emission characteristics from a single Si emitter with integrated nanowire, obtained at different pressures by the influx of gases. This is enabled by a nanopositioning stage and a sharp tungsten anode. We compared emission characteristics in ultra-high vacuum to operation in Ar, O
2
and H
2
up to 10−
⁵
Torr. Our results indicate that emission characteristics improved in H
2
but severely deteriorated in O
2
. Original characteristics are recovered after measurements in O
2
by performing multiple sweeps, implying the degradation is not permanent and due to adsorbed gas molecules.